Monday, February 28, 2011

Ukraine's Role In European Missile Defense Not Yet Discussed

Ukraine's Role In European Missile Defense Not Yet Discussed: "It is too early yet to speak of Ukraine's participation in building the European missile defense system, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told Ukraine's Channel 5.
Kiev and NATO discussed Ukraine's possible contribution to the effort on February 24. The sides discussed the possibility of launching expert consultations on the issue.
'I have taken into consideration that Ukraine is interested in such cooperation,' Rasmussen said then after talks with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Kostyantyn Hryshchenko."
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

US repositions troops in eastern Afghanistan

US repositions troops in eastern Afghanistan: "The U.S. military will start carrying out more counterterrorism missions against insurgents in eastern Afghanistan and work more closely with Pakistani forces in operations against insurgents along the porous and rugged frontier, the U.S. general commanding the region said.

Maj. Gen. John Campbell, commander of NATO coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan, said he has been repositioning some of his troops since last August to make them more effective in the region that borders Pakistan. The area has seen an upsurge in violence and is a main route for insurgents infiltrating into Afghanistan from safe havens in Pakistan's lawless tribal regions.

The realignment of troops will allow more force to be used against insurgents and shore up security along a key trade route from Pakistan to the Afghan capital."
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NATO 3.0




At the Lisbon Summit, NATO -- including the United States -- committed to open-ended support for Afghanistan. Read the details in NATO 3.0

Defense Secretary Gates warns against future wars like Iraq, Afghanistan - BostonHerald.com

Defense Secretary Gates warns against future wars like Iraq, Afghanistan - BostonHerald.com: "Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates warned Friday that the U.S. should avoid future land wars like those it has fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, but not to forget the difficult lessons it has learned from those conflicts.

"In my opinion, any future defense secretary who advises the president to again send a big American land army into Asia or into the Middle East or Africa should ’have his head examined,’ as Gen. (Douglas) MacArthur so delicately put it," Gates said in a speech to cadets at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

As Gates prepares to leave office later this year, his speech could be read both as a judgment on the difficult missions the military has taken on over the past decade — and a prediction that future conflicts would look radically different."
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NATO 3.0




What NATO does will impact future American defense policy. Learn how NATO is transforming to meet 21st Century threats.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

EADS 'disappointed and perplexed' by US tanker decision

EADS 'disappointed and perplexed' by US tanker decision: "Senior European leaders and EADS head Louis Gallois expressed disappointment Friday after the Airbus plane maker lost out to arch US rival Boeing on a massive US Air Force tanker contract.
'We're disappointed and perplexed. We wonder about the reasons why we lost. I think that the US Air Force said ... that it was about price,' Gallois told a telephone press conference.
'There will be an opportunity for a debriefing on Monday and we'll see for which reasons we lost and in which conditions so I won't talk about the procedure,' he said."
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Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking



Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

Tanker victory spells risks for Boeing

Tanker victory spells risks for Boeing: "Boeing's triumph over European rival EADS for a major US Air Force tanker contract poses risks amid defense spending cutbacks and multiple delays to its commercial projects.

The Defense Department declared Thursday Boeing the "clear winner" of a $30-plus billion contract to supply up to 179 refueling tankers to the Air Force.

It is undoubtedly a major prize for the firm, but industry analysts highlighted the challenges that come with submitting what the Chicago-based firm itself called an "aggressive" bid.

"Since the KC-46A is a very competitively bid fixed-price contract for both development and production phases, it carries some execution risks for Boeing," Standard & Poor's analysts said in a client note.

Particularly, they said, "given the company's substantial cost overruns on some of its commercial and military programs in recent years."
*************************

Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking



Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Space weather team readies for upcoming solar max

Space weather team readies for upcoming solar max: " Solar max may sound like the name of a super hero, but it's certainly no comic book or 3-D movie.

Solar max is actually the name for the sun's most active period in the solar cycle, consistently producing solar emissions, solar flares and sun spots.

For a little background on the sun's activities, the star goes through roughly 11-year cycles of where it is very active and also relatively calm.

The sun's last solar maximum occurred in 2000 and it is expected to awaken from its current solar minimum and get more active this year.

According to the members of the 2nd Weather Squadron, an active sun can cause all sorts of problems for us.

"Solar weather plays a huge part in the warfighter's mission," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Money, a forecaster with the space weather flight. "Impacts from solar weather can cause radio blackouts, satellite communication failure, satellite orbit changes, satellite surface charging, or short circuits, and radar clutter."

That is why the squadron's worldwide space weather team of roughly 50 active-duty members, civilians and contractors continually analyze, forecast and provide alert notifications for the entire Department of Defense, as well as a slew of other government agencies.

"When space weather causes impacts to earth that meet or exceed warning thresholds our end users are informed within minutes," said Staff Sgt. Jonathan Lash, space weather flight forecaster.

"We send out warning bulletins through a computerized distribution system, (and) we have other graphical products that show what happened in the past six hours around the globe as well as what we expect to happen in the upcoming six hours," he said.

Members of the 2nd WS rely on five ground-based solar observatories as well as a network of satellites orbiting the earth, to accomplish their mission.

"There aren't too many opportunities to be the Air Force's sole provider of something," said Lt. Col. Jim Jones, 2nd WS commander. "In this case, the mission is unique to the entire DOD."

Solar observatories are strategically placed around the globe in such places as Australia, Hawaii, Italy, Massachusetts and New Mexico. They include both optical and radio telescopes and ensure the squadron always has one eye, or ear, on the sun.

"The optical telescope network monitors solar surface features," said Master Sgt. Shane McIntire, the space weather flight chief. "It automatically tracks the sun and directs light to the instruments, which collect data and are controlled by computers. It scans specific regions at a rate of at least twice per minute."

Through filtered lenses space weather analysts are able to perform flare patrol and view sunspots to determine the magnetic complexity of the region.

"The telescope has special filters that isolate a single optical wavelength," said Master Sgt. Shane Siebert, who leads Det. 4's solar observatory for the 2nd WS at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

"This wavelength, 6563 angstroms, is called hydrogen alpha, or H-Alpha, and is where the majority of solar activity occurs," he said. "Analysts monitor this wavelength from sunrise to sunset, and are looking for specific signatures that may lead to solar flares and other adverse activity."

But not all of the sun's activities can be captured using optical telescopes. Some events have a unique radio-frequency signature that can also be measured.

Using a mixture of technology from the 1970s to the present, radio observatories are able to monitor frequencies in the 25-180 megahertz range, as well as eight other discrete frequencies. Their digitized output is collected by a computer and then processed and analyzed for solar activity.

"We actually are able to detect the specific strength at a given radio frequency," said Maj. Bradley Harbaugh, who commands Det. 5's solar observatory for the 2nd WS at Palehua, Hawaii. "What we detect are energetic solar emissions in (specific) frequency bands or ranges. When detected, we (are able to describe) the start time, duration, intensity and type of solar emission. This helps describe the potential impacts by identifying the characteristics of what may impact earth."

Identifying these solar emissions is crucial to the warfighter's communication abilities.

"If there is solar energy that increases on your frequency, you can try to talk into your radio, but the noise from the sun will be stronger than your transmission, therefore drowning out what you are saying," Major Harbaugh said. "As an operator, you can increase your radio power to try and 'out-broadcast' the sun, but you are also now broadcasting over a much larger area, making your transmission more susceptible to enemy detection. Therefore, the sun's impact must be a consideration when planning a mission."

The squadron's network of satellites includes those owned and operated by the DOD, NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They include a combination of systems that are both dedicated solely to space weather as well as a few that utilize space weather sensors.

"We gather a significant amount of data from satellites," Sergeant McIntire said. "Imagery from (satellites) can augment the ground-based network, providing real-time monitoring of solar features at wavelengths that can't be seen from the ground."

Data from all of these sources combined are continually pushed to the space weather operations center at the Air Force Weather Agency here. With this information in hand, the squadron can produce the most reliable space weather forecast possible.

However, even with all of this data, producing a space weather forecast is still much more difficult than creating one for terrestrial weather.

"Space weather is a terribly difficult science and it takes a lot of training and experience," Colonel Jones said.

"Space weather forecasting is very reactive," Sergeant Money said. "The knowledge and tools are not quite up to par in order to do accurate forecasting like we do here on Earth."

It is also important to note that today the world is much more reliant on space-based assets than they were during the last solar max, officials said. With cellular phones, portable navigation devices and satellite television receivers all part of our daily lives, a huge solar weather event could wreak havoc on quite a few different platforms.

"The impact of a solar storm in 2000 was probably not as great, due to the lower density of space technology, and the limited number of consumers utilizing the data," Major Harbaugh said. "However, the ripple from a major solar event now will more likely be felt across a much broader consumer base, the public, since there are many more assets and many more users of space data."

However, with improved technology and an increased knowledge of the sun's activities, the squadron is more prepared than ever for the upcoming solar max, Colonel Jones said.

"Since the last solar max, we've upgraded most of our numerical models in terms of both their basic science and the data they ingest," he said. "That's a direct result of the advances in sensors and the technology that enables rapid data transfer. We can react faster and see farther than ever before."

"We already have members within the unit developing forecast techniques based on signatures we see on the sensors," Sergeant Money said.

So it's a safe bet that the next couple of years will be hectic for the 2nd WS. Their mission to provide situational awareness to key decision makers will certainly keep them busy.

"In the last month alone, we've had (more than 30) reportable energy events," Major Harbaugh said. "The workload has already increased and will continue to do so for probably the next year or two."

"About a year ago, it was not uncommon for an analyst to only have one very small region of the sun to monitor," Sergeant Siebert said. "Today, it is normal for analysts to keep fairly busy monitoring four-to-six regions.

"Studies of the last solar max show that a typical day included 22 active regions, almost four times our current workload," he added.

Regardless, the squadron's space weather analysts, forecasters and technicians around the globe are ready for the sun's upcoming fury, Colonel Jones said."

Friday, February 25, 2011

BBC News - Russia plans $650bn defence spend up to 2020

BBC News - Russia plans $650bn defence spend up to 2020: "Eight nuclear submarines, 600 jets and 1,000 helicopters feature in plans to renew Russia's military by 2020, priced at 19tn roubles (£400bn; $650bn).
One hundred warships are also due to be bought in, including two helicopter carriers, in addition to two already being purchased from France.
The submarines will carry the Bulava missile, despite recent test failures.
Analysts say the ambitious programme only makes sense if the military upgrades its training and recruitment.
A painful drive to streamline the armed forces is already under way, with up to 200,000 officers losing their jobs and nine out of every 10 army units disbanded, the Associated Press news agency notes.
If the renewal is a success, it will leave Russia less reliant on the nuclear arsenal it inherited from the USSR."
**************

NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Iran widening hunt for uranium to boost nuclear activities, report reveals - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News

Iran widening hunt for uranium to boost nuclear activities, report reveals - Haaretz Daily Newspaper | Israel News: "Iran is expanding its covert global search for the uranium it needs for its nuclear activities and a key focus is Zimbabwe, says a new intelligence report acquired Tuesday by The Associated Press.

The report is in line with international assessments that Iran's domestic supplies cannot sustain its nuclear program that could be turned toward making weapons."
***************

NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Boeing wins massive US air tanker contract

Boeing wins massive US air tanker contract: "US aerospace giant Boeing on Thursday won a massive contract to supply aerial refueling tankers to the Air Force, defeating European rival EADS in a long and tortuous contest.

Announcing the first part of a contract worth more than $30 billion, the Pentagon said: "Boeing was a clear winner."

The US firm is now tasked with delivering 18 aircraft by 2017, but the contract is expected to grow to 179 tankers.

The planes, effectively flying gasoline stations, giving the Air Force global reach and allowing the United States to project military power well beyond its borders.

The surprise verdict capped a nearly 10-year attempt by the Air Force to begin to replace an aging Boeing-built fleet of 400 tankers dating back to the 1950s.

But the decision was an upset, with most experts predicting Boeing's European rival EADS would land the victory."
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U-Boats 'Made in Germany'



Most experts agree that Germany is the world leader in diesel-electric submarine technology. Right now the German naval industry is developing submarine technologies that will allow diesel electric attack submarines to stay underwater longer, display enhanced stealth technology and IFF, and effectively engage aerial targets as well as enjoying enhanced surface ship and land attack capabilities.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Air Force Picks Boeing KC-46A Tanker

Air Force announces next tanker aircraft: "Air Force and Defense Department officials announced the award of an engineering and manufacturing development contract valued at more than $3.5 billion for the KC-46A aerial refueler to The Boeing Company today.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley said in the briefing that many factors were evaluated during the tanker selection process.

"This selection process determined whether or not the proposals demonstrated the ability of an offerer to deliver all 372 mandatory requirements and whether non-mandatory capabilities would be addressed," said Secretary Donley, emphasizing that both offerers met the mandatory requirements. "It also took into account fleet mission effectiveness in wartime, and life cycle costs as embodied in fuel efficiency and military construction costs."

Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn noted the "competition favored no one except the taxpayer and the warfighter."

The Air Force-led selection effort included experts from the larger DOD community, including staff from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and independent review teams during each step of the process.

The thorough and transparent selection process was marked by continual dialogue with offerers to ensure the Air Force had a clear understanding of their proposals and the companies clearly understood the service's analysis of their offers, said Secretary Donley.

Secretary Donley also highlighted that the warfighter was in charge of stating the requirements for the tanker, and that meeting those requirements enables the aircraft to go to war on day one.

"General Schwartz and I are confident in the fact that when our young pilots, boom operators and maintainers receive this aircraft, they will have the tools they need to be successful at what we ask them to do," the secretary added.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz shared the secretary's sentiment.

"I'm pleased with how this has produced an outcome after an exhaustive effort by hundreds of the department's very best people, that we will get about delivering the capability that's long overdue," General Schwartz said.

While the focus of the briefing was on the award of the contract, Secretary Donley addressed basing considerations for the aircraft, stating that those decisions involve other organizations and will take place over the next couple of years.

Secretary Donley also reiterated the service's commitment to provide quality equipment to the warfighter.

"To the men and women of our Air Force, today's announcement represents a long-overdue start to a much-needed program," Secretary Donley said. "Your Air Force leadership, supported by Dr. (Ashton) Carter and others throughout the Department of Defense, is determined to see this through, and we will stand behind this work."

Air Force and DOD officials complemented both offerers and thanked congressional oversight committees and their staffs for working with the department during the contract process that served the warfighter and taxpayers well.

The program expects to deliver the first 18 aircraft by 2017.

"

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Jittery Israel spars with Iran's navy

Jittery Israel spars with Iran's navy: "Israel announced Tuesday it successfully tested its Arrow anti-ballistic weapon in what appeared to be a timely demonstration of its military might as Iranian warships deploy in the Mediterranean for the first time in three decades.
The Jewish state is already alarmed by the downfall of the Cairo regime, linchpin of Israel's security policy since they signed a landmark peace treaty in 1979.
That's the same year another key ally of Israel, the shah of Iran, was toppled under circumstances not much different to those in play today, ushering in the era of Islamist terrorism with Israel a major target.
So the arrival of the Iranian frigate Alvand and a supply ship, the Kharq, in the Suez Canal while the Arab world is gripped by unprecedented political upheaval has heightened the considerable consternation sweeping Israel."
**************

NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

$7 bn UAE missile deal expected this spring

$7 bn UAE missile deal expected this spring: "A Lockheed Martin official said on Tuesday that he expects an agreement to be concluded this spring for the United Arab Emirates to buy an anti-ballistic missile system reputedly worth about $7 billion.
'I think ... sometime this spring, we'll get some positive news that the two governments have reached an agreement' on the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system, said Dennis Cavin, Lockheed Martin vice president for international air and missile defence.
'The discussions started way back in 2007 when the Emirati government expressed interest in an integrated air and missile defence system,' he said at a defence exposition in Abu Dhabi.
The missile defence consists of 'the Patriot PAC-3 system, the THAAD system and then the integration' of the two."
************

NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

System Integration Test For SM-3 Kinetic Warhead Completed

System Integration Test For SM-3 Kinetic Warhead Completed: "Raytheon and Aerojet have completed a kinetic warhead system integration test for Standard Missile-3 Block IB. The test verified the ability of the warhead to detect, track and intercept a moving ballistic missile target in a zero-gravity environment.

During the test, a fully operational, flight-weight kinetic warhead operated on an air-bearing test stand and performed in a high-altitude chamber at Aerojet's Sacramento, Calif., facility. The kinetic warhead's seeker tracked a simulated target while the guidance computer sent information to the new Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control System.

Once the TDACS received the information, the system fired its divert and attitude control thrusters and maintained aim on the target during the entire test sequence, simulating an actual flight mission.

"The test demonstrated the fire control loop of the kinetic warhead on the ground, which is a key indicator that we're on track for the first SM-3 Block IB intercept in space this year," said Frank Wyatt, vice president of Raytheon's Air and Missile Defense Systems product line."
****************

NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Killing of Southern California couple marks grim escalation for Somali pirates | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Killing of Southern California couple marks grim escalation for Somali pirates | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times: "The killing of a Southern California yachting couple marks another grim milestone in the persistent problem of Somali pirates on the Horn of Africa.
Pirates hijacked the couple's boat off the coast of Oman last week, apparently killing them and another American couple on board Tuesday as U.S. forces tried to negotiate a rescue. Targeting a civilian couple is seen as an escalation by the pirates. Scott and Jean Adam, boaters who were based out of Marina del Rey, had been on the high seas for several years, adventuring and distributing Bibles.
Pirating has become an international issue in the last decade and has been difficult to stop, given Somalia's weak government.
During 2008 alone, the pirates are believed to have collected more than $50 million, according to a Los Angeles Times report from Africa at the time."
*********

Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking



Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

White House: Obama Authorized Use Of Force Against Pirates | gCaptain

White House: Obama Authorized Use Of Force Against Pirates | gCaptain: "Over the weekend President Barack Obama authorized the use of force against Somali pirates who killed four U.S. citizens in the Indian Ocean, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said Tuesday.

Obama said force could be used “in the case of an imminent threat to those hostages,” Carney said.

Carney said Obama was notified about the death of the four Americans at 4:42 a.m. EST by John Brennan, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism.

This is at least the second hostage situation Obama has dealt with since being president."
************************

Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking



Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

IMO-led roundtable re-iterates need for urgent and coordinated action against piracy | gCaptain

IMO-led roundtable re-iterates need for urgent and coordinated action against piracy | gCaptain: "Within the Action Plan to promote this year’s World Maritime Day theme – Piracy: Orchestrating the Response, a meeting took place at IMO Headquarters on 17 February 2011 between IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos and industry and seafarer representatives. All re-iterated the need for urgent and coordinated action from Governments, the shipping industry and the maritime community to address the escalating crisis of kidnap and ransom of seafarers off the coast of Somalia, in the Gulf of Aden, in the Arabian Sea and in the western Indian Ocean.
Representatives of the Round Table of international shipping associations (BIMCO, ICS, INTERCARGO and INTERTANKO), OCIMF and ITF agreed that the situation off the coast of Somalia is nearing crisis point with escalating levels of violence, increased risk to seafarers’ lives and significant disruption to global trade and the world economy.
The meeting agreed on the need for compliance with the IMO guidance and best management practices; the need for improved co-operation, communication with, and deployment of, naval forces operating in the area; and the need for more proactive measures to avoid ships becoming victim to this organized criminal activity at sea."
*************

Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking

Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

Somali pirates were rushed by Special Forces when gunfire was heard, officials say | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Somali pirates were rushed by Special Forces when gunfire was heard, officials say | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times: "Dramatic details emerged Tuesday morning about the attempt by U.S. Special Forces to try to rescue a Southern California yachting couple and another couple taken hostage by Somali pirates.
The pirates were in radio contact with the U.S. guided missile destroyer Sterett, the closest U.S. ship, when gunfire was heard.
As a U.S. Special Forces team -- Navy SEALs -- rushed to board a yacht hijacked by Somali pirates, a rocket-propelled grenade was fired by the pirates at the Sterett .
All four hostages had been shot by the pirates and killed, officials said.
Adm. Mark Fox, the commander of U.S. naval forces in the region, said he had no details of the negotiations with the pirates and declined to comment when asked if the U.S. had planned to prevent the hostages from being taken ashore if the yacht reached Somalia."
**************

Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking

Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

Insurers could deploy private fleet

Insurers could deploy private fleet: "A private fleet of armed patrol boats could be created at the behest of insurers from the City of London, CNA has reported.

The speculation has arisen in response to the ongoing piracy from Somalia, afflicting the Gulf of Aden and other waters near to and far from the Horn of Africa.

The idea came about following discussions with ship owners, freight operators and governments.

Somalian pirates in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden have captured and hold more than 30 vessels, and the insurers’ fleet, dubbed the Convoy Escort Programme, aims to offer increased protection in the dangerous seas around Somalia."
***************

Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking

Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

Pirates Murder American Sailors

U.S. Central Command | U.S. forces respond to gunfire aboard the S/V Quest: "At approximately 1 a.m. EST today, while negotiations were ongoing to secure the release of four American hostages, U.S. forces responded to gunfire aboard the pirated vessel (S/V) Quest. As they responded to the gunfire, reaching and boarding the Quest, the forces discovered all four hostages had been shot by their captors. Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately died of their wounds.

“We express our deepest condolences for the innocent lives callously lost aboard the Quest,” said Gen James N. Mattis, U.S. Central Command Commander.

During the boarding of the Quest, the reaction force was engaged by pirates on board the vessel. Two pirates died during the confrontation and 13 were captured and detained along with two pirates already in US Forces custody. The US Forces also found the remains of two other pirates already dead aboard the Quest. In total, it is believed 19 pirates were involved in the hijacking of the S/V Quest.

US Forces have been closely monitoring the S/V Quest for approximately 3 days, once it became known to be pirated. Four U.S. Navy warships comprised the response force dedicated to recovering the S/V Quest: the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84). The ships are deployed to the region to conduct maritime security operations and to provide support to operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn."
*********************

Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking

Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

Somali Pirates Kill 4 Americans On Yacht, U.S. Military Says : NPR

Somali Pirates Kill 4 Americans On Yacht, U.S. Military Says : NPR: "Four Americans taken hostage by Somali pirates off East Africa were shot and killed by their captors Monday, the U.S. military said, marking the first time U.S. citizens have been killed in a wave of pirate attacks plaguing the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean for years.

U.S. naval forces, who were trailing the Americans' captured yacht with four warships, quickly boarded the vessel after hearing the gunfire and tried to provide lifesaving care to the Americans, but they died of their wounds, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement.

Two pirates died during the confrontation and 13 were captured and detained, the U.S. Central Command said in a statement from Tampa, Fla. The remains of two other pirates who were already dead for some time were also found. The U.S. military didn't state how those two might have died."
***********************

Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking

Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

US military to boost naval fleet in Asia

US military to boost naval fleet in Asia: "A top US naval commander said Monday that Washington plans to boost its military presence in Asia, while warning that China should expand its own forces in a 'responsible and constructive' way.

The naval commander also warned that the rash of sea piracy plaguing the coast of Africa was spreading eastward to southern India.

"Despite, or perhaps because of, the coordinated international efforts to fight piracy in the Gulf of Aden, we have seen the problem slowly creeping to the east into the Indian Ocean," Van Buskirk said.

"No one country can fight piracy alone," he added.

Last week, US Navy Admiral Robert Willard warned that Somali pirates were moving deeper into Asian waters amid international efforts to clamp down on the problem."
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Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking

Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

U.S. Navy Warship Tracking Yacht Hijacked by Somali Pirates - ABC News

U.S. Navy Warship Tracking Yacht Hijacked by Somali Pirates - ABC News: "A U.S. Navy warship and helicopters today were tracking a yacht hijacked by pirates that was reported to be headed for the Somali coast.

A Defense Department official told ABC News that the monitoring includes at least one Navy warship and some helicopters that have been trailing the yacht as it makes its way from Yemen to Somalia.

A pirate who said he is in contact with the hijackers on the yacht Quest told The Associated Press that a warship and helicopters have been following the vessel.

U.S. officials confirmed Saturday that the vessel seized Friday by Somali pirates off the coast of Oman has four Americans on board.

Though U.S. officials did not release any information about the yacht today, a U.S. Embassy spokesman on Saturday said officials were assessing options and "possible responses" to the situation. "
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Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates





Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking



Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

Government Tries to Keep Secret What Many Consider a Fraud - NYTimes.com

Government Tries to Keep Secret What Many Consider a Fraud - NYTimes.com: "For eight years, government officials turned to Dennis Montgomery, a California computer programmer, for eye-popping technology that he said could catch terrorists. Now, federal officials want nothing to do with him and are going to extraordinary lengths to ensure that his dealings with Washington stay secret.

The Justice Department, which in the last few months has gotten protective orders from two federal judges keeping details of the technology out of court, says it is guarding state secrets that would threaten national security if disclosed. But others involved in the case say that what the government is trying to avoid is public embarrassment over evidence that Mr. Montgomery bamboozled federal officials.

A onetime biomedical technician with a penchant for gambling, Mr. Montgomery is at the center of a tale that features terrorism scares, secret White House briefings, backing from prominent Republicans, backdoor deal-making and fantastic-sounding computer technology.

Interviews with more than two dozen current and former officials and business associates and a review of documents show that Mr. Montgomery and his associates received more than $20 million in government contracts by claiming that software he had developed could help stop Al Qaeda’s next attack on the United States. But the technology appears to have been a hoax...
"

Friday, February 18, 2011

Report: Army wastes billions each year on weapons systems it abandons - News - Stripes

Report: Army wastes billions each year on weapons systems it abandons - News - Stripes: "The U.S. Army is wasting billions of dollars each year on weapons programs that will never be fielded, causing a crisis of confidence over the service branch’s capacity to manage its acquisition programs, according to an internal study obtained by the Washington, D.C., newsletter, “Inside the Army.”

“Inside the Army” was allowed to review the document, which was marked for presentation to Army Secretary John McHugh but has not been released to the public. The study showed that the Army has wasted between $3.3 billion and $3.8 billion per year on canceled programs since 2004.

At the heart of the problems is the Army’s penchant for starting programs it can’t afford. The Army also “lacks the resolve to work through program difficulties, cannot seem to get new equipment and technology to the operating force in time, [and] has not fielded a new-start ground combat vehicle in decades,” the newsletter reported last week.

Canceled programs represented an average of 35 percent to 45 percent of the Army’s annual budget for development, testing and engineering, according to Inside the Army."
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Merchant Vessel Defense Against Pirates




Preemptive Measures Can Prevent Boarding and Hostage Taking

Too often, ship operators fail to take proper anti-piracy security measures, effectively turning their merchant vessels into “Golden Geese” ripe for the taking, writes the author. He goes on to discuss proven methods of hardening commercial ships and training their crews to prevent pirates – whether from Somalia or elsewhere – from boarding vessels and taking crews hostage.

Destructive cyber attack inevitable: NSA chief

Destructive cyber attack inevitable: NSA chief: "The US National Security Agency (NSA) chief on Thursday urged top computer security specialists to harden the nation's critical infrastructure against inevitable destructive cyber attacks.
'This is an important time,' NSA and Cyber Command director Gen. Keith Alexander said during a presentation at a premier RSA Conference in San Francisco.
'Most of the destructive tools being developed haven't been used; we need to use this window of opportunity to develop defenses.'"
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Cyber Defense



The US military is preparing for 21st Century electronic warfare and cyber terrorism. A joint US Cyber Command and four service cyber commands have been set up.

Their mission is to defend American military networks and civilian American infrastructure from cyber terrorism and from foreign government hackers.

The officers leading these cyber commands explain how they are organized, how they operate, and how they will protect the United States from foreign military hackers, intelligence agencies, and cyber terrorists.

Iranian leaders split on nuclear weapons: official

Iranian leaders split on nuclear weapons: official: "US intelligence agencies believe Iran's leaders are locked in debate about whether to build nuclear weapons and that sanctions have aggravated those divisions, a US official said Thursday.
The spy services' assessment features in a new classified national intelligence estimate (NIE) on Iran, the official told AFP, confirming a Wall Street Journal report.
'The current thinking of the US intelligence community that there is in fact a serious debate inside the Iranian regime whether to continue or not with a nuclear weapons program,' said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
'Our sense is they haven't reached a conclusion yet.'"
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Lockheed Martin Completes Final Installations Missile Warning Spacecraft

Lockheed Martin Completes Final Installations Missile Warning Spacecraft: "The U.S. Air Force/Lockheed Martin-led Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) team has finished final installations on the first geosynchronous (GEO-1) satellite and successfully completed the spacecraft's final factory confidence test in preparation for delivery to the launch site.
SBIRS GEO-1, with its highly sophisticated scanning and staring sensors, will provide the nation with significantly improved missile warning capabilities and support other critical missions simultaneously including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.

Final installations included the spacecraft's deployable light shade, solar arrays, thermal blankets, and flight batteries. The fully integrated spacecraft then successfully passed its final factory confidence test, the last major milestone in preparation for delivery to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla., for a spring 2011 launch aboard an Atlas V launch vehicle."
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Air Force general: Aging tankers wasting fuel (2/8/11) -- GovExec.com

Air Force general: Aging tankers wasting fuel (2/8/11) -- GovExec.com: "The general leading the U.S. Transportation Command said on Monday he needed the Air Force's much-delayed new tanker 'yesterday,' to make operations more efficient and save millions of gallons of fuel by reducing the load the airborne gas stations have to carry back to base.
In describing the vast daily operations necessary to support U.S. forces around the world, including in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gen. Duncan McNabb said, 'We pass more fuel than we carry cargo.'
The huge C-17 and C-5 transports that currently haul much of the critical cargo from the United States to overseas bases usually must be refueled in flight at least once. Those refueling flights make up a large share of the 900 sorties McNabb said his command flies daily."
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

EADS cuts price on US tanker bid

EADS cuts price on US tanker bid: "European aerospace giant EADS on Wednesday said it had lowered its bid for a $35 billion US Air Force aerial refueling tanker contract against US rival Boeing.
EADS North America chairman Ralph Crosby told reporters at a Washington news conference: 'We did in fact revise our proposal and our price.'
The European Aeronautic Defence and Space company 'improved and updated the pricing' of the proposed A330 aircraft made by France-based unit Airbus and submitted a 'very competitive price proposal,' he said."
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Gates: Iraqis will have 'problems' after US pull-out

Gates: Iraqis will have 'problems' after US pull-out: "US Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned Wednesday that Iraq will face major security 'problems' if US troops leave as planned by late 2011 and said more forces would stay on if asked by Baghdad.
'There is certainly, on our part, an interest in having an additional presence' above levels set by a 2008 accord, Gates told the House of Representatives' Armed Services Committee.
'The truth of the matter is, the Iraqis are going to have some problems that they're going to have to deal with if we are not there in some numbers,' he said, warning 'they won't be able to protect their own airspace,' will face intelligence challenges and 'have problems with logistics and maintenance.'"
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NATO 3.0



What long term or open-ended commitments did NATO make to Afghanistan at the Lisbon Summit? Read NATO 3.0 to find out.

Chinese hackers tried to steal Canadian data: reports

Chinese hackers tried to steal Canadian data: reports: "China-based hackers have launched an unprecedented cyberattack on the Canadian government, penetrating the computer systems of two key agencies and forcing them offline, CBC reported Wednesday.
Asked about the report, the Treasury Board issued a brief statement recognizing it had detected an 'unauthorized attempt to access its networks,' but did not elaborate.
'Employee access to the Internet has been limited for the time being,' said Treasury Board spokesman Jay Denney.
CBC News cited 'highly placed sources' in conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government as saying that the cyberattacks, first detected in January, were traced to computer servers in China."
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Cyber Defense



The US military is preparing for 21st Century electronic warfare and cyber terrorism. A joint US Cyber Command and four service cyber commands have been set up.

Their mission is to defend American military networks and civilian American infrastructure from cyber terrorism and from foreign government hackers.

The officers leading these cyber commands explain how they are organized, how they operate, and how they will protect the United States from foreign military hackers, intelligence agencies, and cyber terrorists.

13,450 words

'Anonymous' hackers threaten real-world attacks: HBGary

'Anonymous' hackers threaten real-world attacks: HBGary: "A computer security firm working to expose members of hacker group "Anonymous" pulled out of a premier industry conference here due to threats of real-world attacks on its employees.

HBGary personnel have been peppered with threatening messages since Anonymous hackers looted data from its computer systems earlier this month, according to a message on the California firm's website Wednesday.

'In addition to the data theft, HBGary individuals have received numerous threats of violence, including threats at our tradeshow booth,' the company said."
**********************

Cyber Defense



The US military is preparing for 21st Century electronic warfare and cyber terrorism. A joint US Cyber Command and four service cyber commands have been set up.

Their mission is to defend American military networks and civilian American infrastructure from cyber terrorism and from foreign government hackers.

The officers leading these cyber commands explain how they are organized, how they operate, and how they will protect the United States from foreign military hackers, intelligence agencies, and cyber terrorists.

13,450 words

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Missile agency seeks funds for defensive systems

Missile agency seeks funds for defensive systems: "A ground-based system for homeland defense and interceptors for regional defense highlight the Missile Defense Agency's portion of the Defense Department's fiscal 2012 budget request.

The agency requested more than $8.6 billion for fiscal 2012, compared to last year's requested $8.4 billion, said Navy Rear Adm. Randall M. Hendrickson, the agency's deputy director.

"The 2012 budget is predicated on and assumes the eventual approval of (fiscal) 2011's requested levels of $8.41 billion," he said.

If approved, the $8.6 billion budget would be used to pay for completing the initial fielding of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense System for homeland defense, in addition to enhancing regional defenses with at least two interceptor systems against short-, medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, Admiral Hendrickson said.

Homeland security projects include completing the purchase of six ground-based interceptors and the purchase of five more, as well as finishing 14 missile-launching silos at Fort Greeley, Alaska, and starting work on a new East Coast communications terminal, the admiral said.

Regional defense plans include purchasing 68 Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense interceptors, six launchers and a tactical station group. The plan calls for purchasing 46 standard sea-based interceptors, among other projects.

The third phase, Robust Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile Defense, is expected to be completed in 2018.

System improvements would include expanded shooter coordination and improved radar, Admiral Hendrickson said.

The fourth phase, Early-Intercept and Regional Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Defense, is scheduled to be completed in 2020.

The projects to complete the third and fourth phases include completing the preliminary design for the Precision Tracking Space System satellite, and finishing the final designs and engineering models for its spacecraft bus, optical payload and communication payload components."
******************

NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Lynn gains IT industry's cybersecurity perspective

Lynn gains IT industry's cybersecurity perspective: "Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III returned Feb. 15 from a two-day cybersecurity-focused trip in San Francisco that included a keynote speech and meetings with industry leaders.

Throughout his visit, Mr. Lynn focused on communicating with information technology professionals, whom he terms critical to national efforts to protect key defense and economic networks.

The long-term objective for cybersecurity, Mr. Lynn noted, is to impose "more costs" on cyber attackers without depriving the Internet of its dynamism.

"Across the board, we heard from all of these companies that this is possible," he said. "It's not fast. It's not like we can put a patch out. This is a more fundamental re-engineering, but I think it is possible without huge disruption."

During a speech at the RSA Conference 2011 and in meetings with executives from small tech start-up companies and information technology giants such as Intel, Google and Microsoft, the deputy secretary stressed a few key themes:

-- Threats to the cyber domain are varied and will increase;

-- Action now can maintain the nation's military and economic edge in that domain; and

-- A combined whole-of-government and industry effort is necessary in the cybersecurity effort.

"The (cyber) threat is still maturing," Mr. Lynn told reporters at the conference, which brought together thousands of security, cryptanalyst and information technology professionals. Though the threat currently is limited mostly to exploitation and disruption efforts, he said during his speech, the capability for destructive attacks exists. He added that on the exploitation front, more than 100 foreign intelligence services have launched attempts to infiltrate Defense Department networks.

Disruption or denial-of-service attacks are a more elevated cyber threat, he said. Mr. Lynn cited such attacks in Estonia in 2007 and the former Soviet republic of Georgia in 2008, and, more recently, a hacker group's targeting of eBay and PayPal as prime examples of such attacks.

Destructive attacks, using cyber tools to cause physical damage, are emerging only now as a threat, the deputy secretary said.

"The threat we see today is probably not the threat we're going to see tomorrow," Mr. Lynn said. "We need to get ahead of that game."

The cyber threat is likely to increase in two directions, he said: up the ladder of escalation from exploitation to destruction, and from nation-states to nonstate actors.

"We're at this transition point now, which actually gives us a little time where the most destructive capabilities are not in the hands of the people who would be most likely to use them," he said.

That additional time offers a chance to strengthen the cyber domain against developing threats, he added.

Mr. Lynn emphasized the need for urgency in developing a strategy and getting cyberdefense capabilities in place. The deputy secretary also reiterated another key point from his speech: cyberdefense cannot be likened to traditional military missions, such as air defense.

Cyber and much of the critical infrastructure it touches -- such as power grids and transportation networks -- is largely in the private sector, he noted.

"We need this public-private partnership, and we need a partnership across the whole of government," he said.

Mr. Lynn pointed out that the Defense Department plays a supporting role within U.S. borders.

"DOD has capabilities, but in terms of protecting critical infrastructure, the lead agency there is the Department of Homeland Security," he said. "We work through them, just as we do on hurricane relief."

Mr. Lynn said his meetings here this week with information technology pioneers offered an opportunity to seek industry's views on "changing the balance" in an IT infrastructure that now favors attackers.

Altering the Internet's offense-defense balance will take a number of years, the deputy secretary said, but he added that he is encouraged that industry leaders told him software and hardware technologies are available that can help in achieving that objective.

"In the interim, we're pursuing robust defenses," he said.

Mr. Lynn, who has made cybersecurity a priority in his interactions with other militaries, NATO partners and private industry, received the 2011 RSA Conference award for excellence in public policy."
**************************

Cyber Defense



The US military is preparing for 21st Century electronic warfare and cyber terrorism. A joint US Cyber Command and four service cyber commands have been set up.

Their mission is to defend American military networks and civilian American infrastructure from cyber terrorism and from foreign government hackers.

The officers leading these cyber commands explain how they are organized, how they operate, and how they will protect the United States from foreign military hackers, intelligence agencies, and cyber terrorists.

13,450 words

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

U.S. carrier reportedly to join Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise - Korea - Stripes

U.S. carrier reportedly to join Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise - Korea - Stripes: "A U.S. aircraft carrier will participate in the annual Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise that begins later this month, according to Korean media reports.

U.S. Forces Korea announced Tuesday that the exercise will kick off Feb. 28.

Nearly 13,000 U.S. troops and more than 200,000 South Korean troops will participate in the drills, the first regularly scheduled exercise since North Korea bombarded a South Korean island in November, according to South Korean and U.S. defense officials."
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Budget breakdown: Army - News - Stripes

Budget breakdown: Army - News - Stripes: "Under pressure to hold the line on defense spending, the Army’s $145 billion fiscal 2012 budget is about as much as the service requested for this fiscal year: $143 billion.

Items the Army wants to spend more money on include communications equipment, helicopters, unmanned surveillance aircraft and some missiles, including the Patriot.

Conversely, the Army is cutting some weapons systems and plans to spend less on medium tactical vehicles. Construction spending is also expected to go down significantly."
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Budget breakdown: Navy and Marine Corps - News - Stripes

Budget breakdown: Navy and Marine Corps - News - Stripes: "With $176.4 billion to spend — the most in history — the Navy and Marine Corps will buy more weapons systems in fiscal 2012 that enable them to do more remote-control fighting from afar and, when called upon, get closer in to shore for future conflicts. Eventually. The budget makes official what Defense Secretary Robert Gates long has said was coming: DOD canceled the overdue, overbudget Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, will buy more F/A-18s while F-35 kinks are ironed out, and stock up on unmanned planes, helicopter and submarines."
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Budget breakdown: Air Force - News - Stripes

Budget breakdown: Air Force - News - Stripes: "This year’s defense budget includes the first planned decrease in the Air Force’s annual funding in 15 years, as the service trims back on research and construction spending.

Air Force officials are requesting $149.9 billion in non-war spending for fiscal 2012, about $200 million below what the service wanted last year. Under the budget plans, officials would actually spend almost $1 billion more in research and development for future systems, even as aircraft procurement is slashed by almost $2 billion for the near term.

The proposal also holds flat the service’s end strength and total flight hours outside of war zone requirements. And despite less money for purchasing aircraft, officials still plan on adding 61 manned planes and 51 unmanned drones next year."
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.
Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.
This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Still no word on fate of combat brigades in Europe - Europe - Stripes

Still no word on fate of combat brigades in Europe - Europe - Stripes: "Though it was the Pentagon’s plan to reach a decision in “early 2011” on the number of combat brigades it intends to keep in Europe, military officials here and in Washington appear unlikely to make an announcement anytime soon.

At the Pentagon, officials have refused to state whether a decision is forthcoming. Instead, officials are offering vague references to on-going “discussions” while stopping short of reaffirming whether a final judgment on the brigades is on the way.

Meanwhile, a U.S. European Command spokesman in an email to Stars and Stripes stated: “We expect to have more information in the coming months.”
EUCOM also stopped short of saying whether that “information” would include an announcement on the fate of the Army’s Europe-based brigades."
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NATO Missile Defense for Europe





NATO has agreed to provide ballistic missile defense or BMD for all of Europe. This NATO BMD will protect NATO (European and American) military forces in Europe. It will also – for the very first time – protect the civilian population throughout Europe from ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction launched from the Middle East.

Much of this NATO missile defense for Europe – known as the European Phased Adaptive Approach – will actually be provided by the United States armed forces. This will include seaborne AEGIS missile defense on board US Navy ships in the Mediterranean, as well as land based radars and interceptor missiles.

This e-book describes how NATO missile defense for Europe will be organized and implemented.

Pentagon looks to cut spending with 2012 budget request - News - Stripes

Pentagon looks to cut spending with 2012 budget request - News - Stripes: "Pentagon officials asked for $42 billion less to fund the wars next year and an increase of less than 1 percent in the military’s base budget for fiscal 2012, holding defense costs down as Congress stresses fiscal restraint.
But before they lobby for that money, military leaders are pleading with lawmakers to pass last year’s budget request, shelved by the last Congress in December after months of political in-fighting. For now, service officials are operating with roughly $22 billion less this fiscal year than they had hoped, under a temporary budget bill that expires next month.
“This department has been operating under a continuing resolution going on five months, resulting in difficulties that may soon turn into a crisis,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters at a news conference Monday.
At least $14 billion of that missing fiscal 2011 money is needed to ensure “the level of resources needed to protect this nation’s security and vital interests around the world,” Gates said."
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Cyber Defense



Not all areas of defense spending are being slashed.

The US military is preparing for 21st Century electronic warfare and cyber terrorism. A joint US Cyber Command and four service cyber commands have been set up.

Their mission is to defend American military networks and civilian American infrastructure from cyber terrorism and from foreign government hackers.

The officers leading these cyber commands explain how they are organized, how they operate, and how they will protect the United States from foreign military hackers, intelligence agencies, and cyber terrorists.

13,450 words

Obama asks for $671 billion defense budget for Fiscal Year 2012

Obama asks for $671 billion defense budget for Fiscal Year 2012: "President Barack Obama's Fiscal Year 2012 defense budget request continues the department's reform agenda, but protects personnel and family programs, Pentagon officials said.

Overall, the Defense Department budget is declining, with funding for overseas contingency operations dropping by $41.5 billion, due mainly to military operations winding down in Iraq, officials said.

The president is asking Congress for $671 billion for the Defense Department in fiscal 2012, which starts Oct. 1. The budget calls for $553 billion in the "base budget" and $117.8 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

By appropriation, military personnel accounts are $142.8 billion of the base budget. Operations and maintenance is $204.4 billion, procurement is $113 billion and research and development is $75.3 billion.

The Army portion of the base budget is $144.9 billion, the Navy and Marine Corps portion is $161.4 billion, and the Air Force share is set at $150 billion. Defense Department spending is pegged at $96.8 billion.

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates continually has stressed his concern for the people portion of the budget. The secretary has called servicemembers the "military's greatest strategic asset," and is putting his money where his mouth is. The president's budget request calls for the nation's 2.3 million servicemembers to receive a 1.6 percent pay raise, equal to the Employment Cost Index, an indicator that tracks movement in the cost of labor.

The budget funds an end-strength for the services 65,000 people greater than in Fiscal Year 2007. The Army's end strength will be 547,000, with the Marine's coming in at 202,100. The Navy's end strength is set at 325,000, and the Air Force at 332,800.

All told, the department's end strength will be 1,408,000 in Fiscal Year 2012 if this budget is approved. In Fiscal Year 2007, the end strength was 1,328,500, and the Army and Marine Corps in particular were stressed by repeated deployments and not enough garrison time in between.

The 2012 end strength will help the services meet the goal of one year deployed and two years at home. This "dwell time" is crucial to the health of the force, officials said.

The budget provides for the basic allowance for housing to rise 4.2 percent, and the basic allowance for subsistence by 3.4 percent.

The budget includes $52.5 billion for the Military Health System. The system, which has 9.6 million beneficiaries, has seen its budget more than double since Fiscal Year 2001, when it was $19 billion.

This year's request will attempt to rein those costs in. Systemically, the budget calls for reducing overhead, standardizing procurement and other ideas to leverage the buying power of such a huge enterprise. The money also will fund preventive care, immunizations and programs to combat obesity, tobacco use and alcohol abuse.

The budget also calls for a modest premium increase for working-age military retirees enrolled in the TRICARE Prime military health plan. The budget sets the increases at $2.50 per month for individuals and $5 per month for families in Fiscal Year 2012, and for the premiums to be indexed to Medicare inflation thereafter.

The medical funding request also is aimed at providing services for wounded troops. The money will fund programs to provide a seamless transition from the Defense Department's medical system to that of the Veterans Affairs Department for wounded servicemembers who leave the military.

It also provides $1.1 billion for research into traumatic brain injury and psychological health issues stemming from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Defense leaders understand that military families also serve the country, officials said, noting that Gates has vowed to protect military families from the budgetary ax. The Fiscal Year 2012 budget shifts funding for military families into the base budget, ensuring these programs don't disappear as combat deployments and war funding decline, officials said.

The budget provides funding for child care space for more than 200,000 children, as well as funding for family support centers and morale, welfare and recreation programs. The budget funds the education of almost 95,000 students at DoD Education Activity schools in 12 countries and almost 35,000 students in seven states, Puerto Rico and Guam.

More than a half billion dollars will go to replacing or modernizing schools at Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Knox, Ky.; Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; New River, N.C.; and Dahlgren, Va. The money also will replace or modernize five schools in Germany, two in Japan, one in Italy and one in the United Kingdom.

The more than 600,000 civilians in the DoD work force will not receive a raise in calendar years 2011 and 2012 as part of the larger government-wide freeze on wages. The department intends to hold the civilian work force at Fiscal Year 2010 levels, though exceptions will be made for the on-going acquisition work force improvement strategy, officials said.

The budget also seeks increasing opportunities for flexible work schedules, including teleworking options.

But the focus remains on the current wars. About 48,500 American troops remain in Iraq, and about 98,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan, officials noted, and Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the focal point in the war on extremist groups such as al-Qaida.

Some U.S. and coalition forces are fighting against extremists while others are training the Afghan security forces to take on the security mission in the country. Last year, 30,000 more American troops surged into Afghanistan, and NATO nations and other coalition contributed 10,000 more.

These forces have been successful in arresting Taliban and al-Qaida forces' momentum and have turned the tide, official said. Now, they added, the forces are expanding their "security bubbles" and looking for ways to make the gains permanent.

Most of the $117.8 billion in the overseas contingency operations fund -- some $67 billion -- goes to operations. Training Afghan forces consumes the next-largest amount, at $12.8 billion.

The budget invests $2.6 billion into defeating the biggest killer of American personnel, the improvised explosive device. Another $6 billion goes into military intelligence funding, which includes investments in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets.

The budget request calls for three more Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles, 48 more Reaper UAVs, 36 more Gray Eagle UAVs and 12 maritime UAVs, as well as 12 more MC-12 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft.

The Fiscal Year 2012 budget request also sets the stage for the future, putting the defense secretary's restructuring of the F-35 joint strike fighter program in concrete. The request puts more money into research and development for the fifth-generation fighter and defers procurement to the out years. Still, DoD will receive 32 of the planes in Fiscal Year 2012. The budget request also puts the vertical-lift version of the aircraft on a two-year probation period.

The budget request also provides for:

-- Procurement of 28 more F/A-18E/F fighter aircraft and 12 more EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft;

-- A stabilized ship-building effort, with two Virginia-class submarines, a DDG-51 destroyer, four littoral combat ships, an LPD-17 amphibious assault ship and two joint high-speed vessels.

-- Investment of $2 billion in long-range strike capabilities, most notably through a new Air Force bomber that will be stealthy and nuclear-capable while giving planners the option of piloting it remotely.

-- $900 million for new air-to-air refueling tankers, and money for a new family of armored vehicles and a joint light tactical vehicle.

So the department doesn't shortchange servicemembers of the future, officials said, the budget request includes two percent real growth in basic research and holds the remainder of the science and technology budget steady. All told, the science and technology budget is set at $12.2 billion, officials added."
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Cyber Defense



The US military is preparing for 21st Century electronic warfare and cyber terrorism. A joint US Cyber Command and four service cyber commands have been set up.

Their mission is to defend American military networks and civilian American infrastructure from cyber terrorism and from foreign government hackers.

The officers leading these cyber commands explain how they are organized, how they operate, and how they will protect the United States from foreign military hackers, intelligence agencies, and cyber terrorists.

13,450 words

Gates: ‘No idea’ on size of Afghanistan drawdown - Stripes Central - Stripes

Gates: ‘No idea’ on size of Afghanistan drawdown - Stripes Central - Stripes: "Don’t read too much into the Pentagon’s 26 percent slash to the overseas war budget. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said the Pentagon does not yet know how many troops will draw down from Afghanistan this year. Instead, the Defense Department is budgeting to hold level at 98,000 troops through 2012. Just don’t bet on that.
Though most of the $42 billion drop can be attributed to the pullout from Iraq, Gates said the DOD is not taking chances.
“What we have done is what we have done in the past: We have budgeted an FY12 for 98,000 troops. It’s a conservative approach to budgeting,” Gates said Monday at the Pentagon. “...But that’s not to say that we will have 98,000 troops at the end of FY12. In fact, it’s a lead-pipe cinch that we won’t.”
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NATO 3.0



The Atlantic Alliance Resets for the 21st Century

BBC News - US 'to name Marc Grossman as Afghan-Pakistan envoy'

BBC News - US 'to name Marc Grossman as Afghan-Pakistan envoy': "Retired diplomat Marc Grossman has been chosen as the next US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, a US official has told the BBC.
The expected appointment follows the death of the previous representative, Richard Holbrooke, last December.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to formally announce the appointment later this week.

Mr Grossman has spent almost three decades working for the US state department.

His career includes spells as US ambassador to Turkey and assistant secretary of state for Europe.

He helped direct US participation in the Kosovo war and after 9/11, marshalled international diplomatic support for the "war on terror".
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NATO 3.0



The Atlantic Alliance Transforms to Meet 21st Century Threats