-Land of the Free |
Hung Cao: Biden surrenders America for the sixth time |
2023-08-09 |
[FoxNews] President Biden has abandoned his sixth U.S. embassy in less than three years. His first was the atrocious withdrawal from Afghanistan, where I had completed my last combat deployment six months before. Afghanistan was stable enough and the fledgling Afghan National Defense Security Forces (ANDSF) were just learning to stand on their own two feet. Our plan was to leave 2,500 special operators as a quick reaction force. Joe Biden neither approved nor disapproved the plan, resulting in the loss of 11 Marines, a sailor and a soldier. As a contingency, if we had to evacuate, the 75th Ranger Regiment was to surround Bagram Air Base while we flew everyone out, and they would fold in at the end and exfil. Biden’s team gave up Bagram to the Taliban before anything else, leaving us with no plan B. The additional U.S. Embassy evacuations in Ukraine, Belarus, Sudan, Haiti and now Niger show Biden’s failed foreign policy and weakness. While Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is bowing multiple times to greet Xi Xiping, and Secretary of State Tony Blinken is going on talk shows, China, Russia and Iran are collecting valuable diplomatic equity around the world. What was Biden’s excuse? We didn’t have the forces? What about the Marine Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST) company stationed in Rota, Spain, whose job is exactly for that task? Or better yet, why not call the special operators in Northern Niger, in Agadez? When there is a leadership void in the world, there is a long line of countries waiting to fill that void. In less than three years, we have left a huge crater in the world diplomatic forum. The Abraham Accords brought peace in the Middle East for the first time in my life, and before the ink dried, those countries quickly turned to China for leadership. Iran is rattling its saber in the Persian Gulf, taking over commercial ships, and the insurrectionists in Niger are waving Russian flags. We need leadership in Washington, D.C. Not bureaucrats or lifelong politicians. We need doers and people who have served this nation, not for glory or riches, but for the honor to just be Americans. This is why I am running for the U.S. Senate against lifelong politician Tim Kaine. Virginia needs someone who believes in the same values of God, family and country, but more importantly, Virginia deserves someone who will fight for them, not special interest groups. We need a strong legislative branch and a strong judicial branch for checks and balances on the executive branch. It’s time to stop surrendering. Hung Cao is a retired Navy captain who served in Special Operations for 25 years. He is a refugee from Vietnam and immigrant to the United States after his family escaped in 1975 shortly before the fall of Saigon. Cao is a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Virginia. He lives in Purcellville, Virginia, with his wife and five children. |
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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
Actual information about the situation on the front line: June 28 (updated) |
2023-06-29 |
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. [NewsFrontInfo] 23:55 Over the past day Representation reported about 34 facts of firing by the VFU. In the Donetsk direction, the enemy made 21 artillery attacks from the MLRS, 155mm artillery. On Gorlovsky 11 artillery attacks from artillery 152mm and 122mm. On Yasinovatsky one artillery attack from MLRS. On Volnovakhsky one artillery attack from 152mm artillery. Having fired 196 units of various ammunition. The region of seven settlements of the Republic came under enemy fire: Horlovka (Nikitovsky district), Zaytsevo, Yasinovataya, capital city. Donetsk (Kuybyshevsky, Kievsky, Kirovsky, Petrovsky districts), Makeivka (Chervonogvardeysky district), Staromihailovka, Blagodatnoe. Over the past day, information was received about the death of two civilians in the Kirovsky district of Donetsk. Wounds of varying severity were received by 10 civilians, incl. five children#ChildrenNotTarget, in the Kirovsky and Petrovsky districts of Donetsk, Yasinovataya. 9 residential buildings were damaged in the Kirovsky and Petrovsky districts of Donetsk, the Nikitovsky district of Gorlovka, Staromikhaylovka and Yasinovataya, as well as 2 civilian infrastructure facilities. A previous 40 artillery attacks were recorded from the AFU side in 24 hours. 22:06 Brief summary, Avdeevskoe direction. The enemy command continues to prepare for offensive operations with limited targets in order to regain control over previously lost positions. There is a concentration of forces in the area of Novokalinovo, Krasnogorovka, Veseloye. 21:46 Thank you for military feat! Servicemen of the group of troops "West" were awarded state awards for repulsing the terrorist attacks of the Kyiv regime against the civilian population. Distinguished defenders of the Russian borders were awarded combat state awards: the Order of Courage and the medal "For Saving the Perishing." The fighters also received departmental medals “For Combat Distinction”, “For Military Valor”, “Participant in a Special Military Operation”. 21:15 Video- Statement by the head of the press center of the "South" grouping. The units of the Southern Group of Forces thwarted the attack of the assault group of the 3rd Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the area of the settlement of Belaya Gora. 20:35 Enemy attacks positions of the "Brave" at the front near Kremennaya - In the area of Chervonaya Dibrova settlement, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched four infantry attacks with the support of infantry fighting vehicles from the 67th Brigade and the 100th brigade of the Teroborona. During the small arms battle and from artillery fire, the enemy was driven back. Positions held. 20:00 Enemy applied attack on Donetsk, civilians were killed and wounded. The artillery attack of the Kirovsky district of the capital of the DPR from the MLRS and NATO howitzers - two people were killed by shrapnel, six more were injured ... High-rise buildings were damaged. Artillery attack of Donetsk in just an hour: - 17:30 - n.p. Netaylovo - Kuibyshevsky and Kyiv regions: eight rounds with a caliber of 155mm. – 17:55 – n.p. Galitsynovka - Kirovsky district: five rounds of caliber 155mm - 18:10 - n.p. Orlovka - n.p. Makeivka (Chervonogvardei district): six rounds of 155mm caliber; – 18:10 – n.p. Orlovka - Kyiv region: five rounds of 155mm caliber. – 18:35 – n.p. Maksimilianovka - Kirovsky district: three rockets from RSZO. 19:31 At Orekhovo-Polozhsky direction the command of the 10th Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine began organizing the equipment of command posts in the area of Primorsky, Veselyanka and Kamyshevakhi. The transfer of KP 10 Army Corps occurs primarily due to a change in the plan of the Nazi command about the direction of the main attack, since the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not achieve any serious success, even at a tactical level, in carrying out offensive operations in the directions of Orekhovo-Rabotino, Malaya Tokmachka-Verbovoye, and the losses incurred do not match the results achieved. 19:00 Video– A captured Ukrainian soldier: during our training in Europe, we were told that we needed to kill as many Russians as possible. Prisoner of war Vitaly Sery, despite the fact that he was trained in France, did not acquire any important military skills. He says that during his studies in Europe, a strong emphasis was placed on psychological work: the Ukrainians were told that they needed to kill as many Russians as possible. 18:35 Vremievsky ledge setting as of 17.00 June 28, 2023 In the area ofthe Vremievsky ledge, three company groups of the 35th Naval Infantry Regiment and the 128th Regiment of Troops on several armored combat vehicles and infantry fighting vehicles entrenched themselves in the area west of Staromayorsky. A little to the north, members of the 31st Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from Rivnopol took up positions. 18:05 Elusive "barbarian": combat work of crews of 152mm howitzers D-20 artillery units of the Western Military District In one of the directions in the zone of the special operation, the personnel of the artillery battery of the "Western" group of troops inflicted fire damage on the area of accumulation of armored vehicles and manpower, as well as on the ammunition depots of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The wandering howitzer D-20, together with the crew, which dubbed the gun with the female name of Varvara, is one of the most productive, well-coordinated and elusive units for the enemy on this sector of the front. “Don’t praise us too much, jinx us,” the gunners say jokingly. And there is something to praise. In addition to effective maneuvering tactics and high performance, the guys mastered a wide range of ammunition. On account of the calculation of dozens of hit targets - enemy mortars, his artillery, fortified oporniks and camouflaged observation posts. 17:36 Video- A fierce battle: the infantry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was able to break through to our trenches on the flank of Artemovsk, but was destroyed The drone of the Airborne Forces recorded one of the last failed attempts by the infantry of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the support of the BMP to advance in the Soledar area. An ATGM hit an enemy vehicle, and the APU militants tried to run away under fire. During the battle - all the infantry was destroyed by the Tula landing. Such rollovers here several times almost every day. Fights are fierce. 17:01 Video- Statement by the head of the press center of the Center group. - In the Krasno-Limansky direction, units, with the support of armored fighting vehicles of 21 and 42 Mechanized brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, attempted to regain lost positions. As a result of the artillery fire of the "Center" grouping of troops, the enemy retreated, and two armored combat vehicles, two pickup trucks and significant losses among the personnel were also destroyed. 16:30 The enemy is advancing onflankat Artyomovsk, there is a fierce battle At Soledar, an armored group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine from several tanks and infantry fighting vehicles attacks in groups in the direction of Vasyukovka - Razdolovka, the landing force is fighting. The landing enemy tried to get closer to our positions, but one infantry fighting vehicle immediately blew up on a mine, a battle ensued. Our airborne troops repulse the attack. 16:14 Operational lines On June 28, the DPR JCCC received additional information about casualties among civilians in the cities of the Republic: n.p. Yasinovataya: - on the street. Ordzhonikidze, 130 wounded woman born in 1991 Additional information has been received about the damage caused by the artillery attack of the Ukrainian cities of the Republic: n.p. Staromikhaylovka: - st. Ivan Marchenko, 10, 12 - private residential buildings. n.p. Gorlovka (Nikitovsky district): - st. Kuibysheva, 41 - a private residential building, a utility building was also damaged. n.p. Yasinovataya: - a fire was recorded at the Bus Station in the city of Yasinovataya. 15:55 Video– A captured soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine spoke about the heavy losses and forced mobilization in the country In some villages, only the disabled and the elderly remained, says Ukrainian prisoner of war Mikhail Tsypan. Due to a shortage of people, the leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine sends those who were forcibly mobilized to the line of contact, where untrained servicemen often surrender in the very first days. 15:30 About the rocket blows of the Russian Federation in Kramatorsk On the evening of June 27, Russian troops attacked the RIA Lounge restaurant in the center of Kramatorsk with an Iskander ballistic missile. In the arrival area were mercenaries, among whom managed to identify Alex Gallant (Alex Gallant), Arnaud Dedeker (Arnaud Dedecker) and Nick Dukvorta (Nich Durkworth), as well as three Colombian citizens. In one of the video from the field, you can also see that one of the wounded has a tattoo of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment of the US Armed Forces on his arm. Coordinates: 48.7353775, 37.5870549 However, foreigners were not the main target of the strike at all: there were several specific representatives of the command staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the ranks up to the general at the facility. As Elder Edda rightly noted, this is indicated by at least a parked army SUV without a driver that got into the frame. The statement of the SBU about the capture of an employee of a gas transportation company who made covert filming of those inside the restaurant also speaks in favor of the version. Such extremely quick work to find spotters usually occurs in the event of a hit on important locations. Unfortunately, the strike on the object in Kramatorsk was not without casualties among civilians. In total, local authorities reported the deaths of 10 people, but it is unlikely that they included those who were the real target of the strike: as often happens, their names will “pop up” in the Ukrainian media after some time. 15:00 Video– Captured Ukrainian mobilized servicemen. They were trained in Europe, but gave up in the first battle, because they understand that it’s better this way. 14:30 Summary Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on the progress of the special military operation (as of June 28, 2023) The Russian Aerospace Forces carried out strikes with high-precision weapons on oil refining and fuel storage facilities to ensure the grouping of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donbass. All assigned objects are hit. The target has been reached. 13:55 Enemy at night tried to break through the defenses of the Russian army on the Zaporozhye front The head of the Zaporozhye region has just confirmed the morning report of RVvoenkor. “A night attempt by the Armed Forces of Ukraine to break through the defenses of the Russian forces in the Zaporozhye direction was repulsed, 3 Ukrainian tanks and three infantry fighting vehicles were shot down,” said E. Balitsky. Recall that at 0400 hrs the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine began offensive operations with the forces of a motorized infantry company, reinforced by a tank platoon in the direction of the settlement. Foals. During the battle, the enemy suffered losses and rolled back. Fighters of 429 SMEs, naval infantry and Sudoplatov's detachment destroyed three tanks and three infantry fighting vehicles. The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to prepare for the resumption of a large-scale offensive on the left flank of the Zaporozhye Front. 13:22 Zaporozhye direction: n.p. Pyatihatka Meanwhile, a few hours ago, the 128th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine went on the offensive, but the attack bogged down. Tanks and infantry fighting vehicles were left to burn in the steppes. The personnel are abandoned in landings without the possibility of evacuation - at the moment our artillery is finishing them off. Scouts of 429 SMEs of 19 Motorized Rifle Division, together with scouts of the battalion. Sudoplatov and 4 VB opened the enemy on the distant approaches. Three tanks and two infantry fighting vehicles were destroyed. 12:54 Video- Statement by the head of the press center of the Vostok group. - In the South-Donetsk direction, the enemy made attempts to carry out covert regrouping and launch artillery strikes on the positions of Russian troops. 12:30 Video- The best helicopter Ka-52 is working out with “Whirlwinds” along the column of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 11:59 Serpent Gorynych Brave burns passages in enemy minefields Engineers make passages in the minefields of the enemy and destroy his strongholds in the Krasno-Limansky direction. To carry out combat missions, a self-propelled rocket launcher for demining UR-77, nicknamed "Serpent Gorynych", is used. 11:39 Abandoned AMX-10RCR in Novodonetsk. Photo from our subscribers from the army special forces. 11:23 Counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Orekhovsky sector settingas of June 28, 2023 On the Orekhovsky section of the Zaporozhye direction, Ukrainian formations continue rare attacks on the positions of Russian troops. 10:53 Video- Statement by the head of the press center of the West group. - In the course of hostilities in the Kupyansk direction, the crew of a Su-34 fighter-bomber of the Zapad aviation group of forces launched a missile and bomb attack on the point of temporary deployment of units of 103 arr. TerO in the area of the settlement. Kovsharovka. 10:25 The situation in the Zaporozhye and South-Donetsk directions: the enemy is increasing its activity. - On the Vasilevsky sector, the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine resumed offensive operations in the Pyatikhatki area - they tried to move towards the settlement. Foals, but were thrown back to their original positions. Columns of armored vehicles of the enemy in the area of the settlement were subjected to fire damage. Stepovoye. 10:05 On the Kupyansky, Krasno-Limansky and Donetsk directions of the VFU experiencing difficulties with the evacuation of the wounded and the logistics of the supply of ammunition. Due to unfavorable weather conditions (heavy rainfall), dirt roads were washed out, VFU equipment began to get stuck and loaded. 09:36 Official summary of Representative offices of the DPR in the JCCC from 00:00 06/27/2023 to 00:00 06/28/2023 Over the past day, the Representation reported 40 facts of firing by the AFU. 09:34 The criminal Kiev regime continues to shell the civilian infrastructure of the settlements on the left bank of the Kherson region, yesterday during the day the Armed Forces of Ukraine were fired from barrel artillery: -- n.p. Aleshki fired 19 rounds ; -- n.p. Kazachi Lagery fired 9 rounds ; -- n.p. Peschanovka fired 9 rounds ; -- 8 rounds were fired at the village of Kardashinka; -- in the village of Dnepryans fired 6 rounds ; -- in the village of Krynki fired 8 rounds ; -- 9 rounds were fired at the village of Korsunka; -- 12 rounds were fired along the Solontsy settlement. Civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure are being specified Kakhovka, Aleshki settlement, Vasilievka settlement firing a total of 28 rounds from cannon artillery. Civilian casualties and infrastructure destruction are being specified. 08:12 Frontline summary on the morning of 06/28/2023 In the Zaporozhye direction, Ukrainian troops, after artillery strikes, attacked near Rabotin. Russian units held their positions. The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation fired at the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Lobkovo, Pyatikhatki, Shcherbaki, Orekhovo, Malaya Tokmachka, Gulyaipolsky, Zheleznodorozhny, Gulyaypole, Krasnoye, Malinovka, Olgovsky and Temirovka. 08:09 Military summary on the morning of June 28, 2023 The Russian Armed Forces attacked targets in the Cherkassy, Zaporozhye, Dnipropetrovsk regions, as well as the part of the DPR occupied by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. |
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Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia | |
End point for mercenaries - Kramatorsk | |
2023-06-29 | |
Direct Translation via Google Translate. Edited. Commentary by Russian military blogger Andrey Chervonets Turkish channels report that in Kramatorsk, the loss of NATO mercenaries/instructors amounted to more than 100 people as a result of yesterday's missile attack. These people, under the guise of volunteers, trained the Ukrainian army, and also participated in hostilities. The instructors burned themselves, starting to mark each other in stories and upload places of their voyages and favorite places for lunch. CIPSO forgot to tell the British mercenary how to properly comment on Instagram videos. The rubble has been cleared for days. Plus, as a result of this strike, the command staff of the 56th motorized infantry brigade was destroyed (one of the battalion commanders noted something and gathered the brigade officers in a cafe). A similar attack was also carried out in Zaporozhye, but there are still few details. From the dzen.ru page of Russian military correspondent Aleksandr Kots: The results of the strike on Kramatorsk ✔️Several foreign mercenaries showed up at the site of the strike, who, however, did not hide their presence in Ukraine and actively shared the details of their everyday life in social networks. Alex Gallant, Arno Dedecker and Nick Duckworth were seen among those who came on the "safari". ✔️In one of the videos, a tattoo of a wounded man is clearly visible, indicating belonging to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment of the US Armed Forces. Either an instructor, or a mercenary, or they are there. ✔️Another video shows a man in a uniform with the emblem of the 101st Airborne Division of the US Armed Forces. ✔️ Foreign journalists and three Colombians were also at the facility - writer Hector Abad, politician Sergio Jaramillo and journalist Catalina Gomez. ✔️Among those liquidated there are also Ukrainian military. For example, the 22-year-old member of Azov (banned in the Russian Federation) Artyom Sukhovey. ✔️On one of the videos with the aftermath of the strikes, a voice-over says that there are only soldiers under the ruins. ✔️According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the targets of the strike were the administration of the 56th brigade and other higher command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine that had gathered in the Kramatorsk cafe. Says Scott Ritter, via regnum.ru: Ritter called the target of the strike of the Russian Aerospace Forces on Kramatorsk The Russian Aerospace Forces, with a strike on Kramatorsk, eliminated a large number of American mercenaries, Scott Ritter, a former intelligence officer of the United States of America, said in an interview with journalist Garland Nixon.
According to him, American servicemen arrived in the combat zone to provide assistance to wounded soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ritter said that among the liquidated Americans were military advisers and combatants. Related: Scott Ritter: 2023-05-21 Russian Perspective: Operation to Denazify Ukraine: Operational Brief May 20th (updated) Scott Ritter: 2023-05-02 Kirby said the White House is not going to publish data on the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Scott Ritter: 2023-03-08 Scott Ritter: United States lagging far behind Russia in field of military industry Related: Garland Nixon: 2023-04-11 Russian Perspective: Operation to Denazify Ukraine: Operational Brief April 10th (updated) Garland Nixon: 2023-03-21 Another one and a half billion people do not fit into the American world order Garland Nixon: 2023-01-13 Russian Perspective: Operation to Denazify Ukraine: Operational Brief January 12th (updated) | |
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-Great Cultural Revolution |
Media and networks miss an annual US Army event in Ga., but you know why |
2023-04-22 |
[American Thinker] Last week, I was in Fort Benning, Georgia, attending the Best Ranger Competition as a member of the media. The three days of events was something far more than I had anticipated. While I was there to learn more about Ranger training, tactics, and culture for my writing projects, what I found instead was a bastion of pure patriotism and Americana. The Best Ranger Competition is a three-day test of mental and physical endurance undertaken by two-man Ranger teams from a number of divisions and commands of the U.S. Army. The participants push themselves for long hours both day and night, undertaking feats to test not just their stamina, but their ability to think and solve problems. On day one, before the break of dawn, the teams go on a run for nine miles, carrying an 50 lb bag of sand on their shoulders. From there, in full uniform, they swim a pond, then undergo a grueling obstacle course, climbing tall obstacles, swimming in mud under barbed wire, etc. They run to another set of physical challenges, then board helicopters and are taken to an urban combat center, where they are dropped on the roof of a building they then clear. There's no break for the weary. They move out carrying 50 lb ammunition canisters, climbing several walls, then mount an urban assault on another structure. All of this before noon! |
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-Obits- |
Legendary Army Ranger, who fought in three wars, dies at 97 |
2022-09-15 |
[MIL TIMES] The soldier for whom the Army’s Best Ranger Competition is named passed away Sept. 11 at age 97. Retired Lt. Gen. David E. Grange, Jr. served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. He enlisted in 1943 and commissioned in 1950 after attending Officer Candidate School. During World War II, Grange served as a paratrooper with the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He played a role in the Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe campaigns. When the war ended, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division before going to OCS. Upon commission as a 2nd lieutenant, Grange was sent to Korea as a rifle platoon leader with the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment. After Korea, he was a Ranger instructor and served as an Army staff officer, according to the Association of the U.S. Army. In 1963, he entered his third war as an adviser in Vietnam on his first of three tours to the country. Grange’s second and third tours were spent with the 506th Infantry Regiment and 101st Airborne Division, respectively. His last post was as commanding general of the Sixth U.S. Army. He retired in 1984 with 41 years of service. Grange is highly decorated, with awards including the "Defense Distinguished Service Medal; Army Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters; Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Distinguished Flying Cross; Soldier’s Medal; 28 awards of the Air Medal with V; Bronze Star Medal with V and four Oak Leaf Clusters; Joint Service Commendation Medal with V; United States Army Commendation Medal with V and four Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; and the Purple Heart," reads the 506th Infantry’s unit history. "France has awarded him the Legion of Honor in the degree of Officer," the history adds. "Korea has awarded General Grange the Wharang Medal with Gold Star, the Kuksun Medal and the Cheonsu Medal. Vietnam awarded him the Gallantry Cross with two palms and Silver Star, and the Military Honor Medal, First Class." In 1984, the "LTG David E. Grange, Jr. Best Ranger Competition" was named in his honor. |
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-Short Attention Span Theater- |
75th Ranger Regiment Sweeps competition at Best Ranger |
2022-04-12 |
[BRCC] Four teams from the 75th Ranger Regiment posted a sweep of the top four places in the 38th annual David E. Grange Jr. Best Ranger Competition at Fort Benning, Georgia. A fifth team representing the 75th came in sixth. The team of Joshua Corson and Tymothy Boyle, both captains in the 75th, took first place, ahead of Sgt. Nathan Buck and Sgt. Enrique Caballero, who were second. Staff Sgt. John Goldsmith and Spc. Kory Fogarty were third. Sgt. Jonathan Deguzman and Sgt. Alex Mauch placed fourth. A team from Training and Doctrine Command took fifth to break up a full sweep. |
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Home Front: WoT |
Biden taps combat-hardened officer to lead Central Command, which works with Israel |
2022-01-08 |
[IsraelTimes] Erik Kurilla gained extensive experience in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars A senior Army three-star general with extensive experience in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars has been nominated to become the top US commander for the Middle East. President Joe The Big GuyBiden ...46th president of the U.S., father of Hunter, close friend of an imaginary negro named Corn Pop. He blames Trump for losing Afghanistan.... has nominated Army Lt. Gen. Erik Kurilla to head US Central Command and be promoted to four-star general, according to multiple US officials. The Senate Armed Services Committee notice says only that Kurilla has been nominated to become a general, and does not detail which job he would get if confirmed. But his nomination for US Central Command has been expected for several months. US officials confirmed the planned job on condition of anonymity because it has not yet been made public. If confirmed by the Senate, Kurilla would replace Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, who has led the command for the past three years and is expected to retire. CENTCOM officially assumed responsibility for the US military’s relationship with Israel at the beginning of September. The IDF and CENTCOM have sine held a number of joint exercises. Israel had previously been kept in the area of responsibility of EUCOM in order to prevent possible tensions between CENTCOM and the Arab and Moslem nations under its purview, many of whom did not maintain formal ties with Israel, and would therefore not want to be considered as mutual allies. The US Central Command’s area of responsibility stretches across the Middle East to Central Asia, including the Persian Gulf region, as well as Afghanistan and Pakistain. In recent years, however, CENTCOM’s Arab allies have increasingly developed relations with Israel, some informally, so these issues have largely faded. Thank you, President Trump. Kurilla would take over as the Pentagon continues to try and shift its focus to the Indo-Pacific and counter a rising China, and to bolster defenses against Russia in Europe, where Moscow is massing troops near the Ukraine border, fueling fears of an invasion.The US has withdrawn all forces from Afghanistan and has now formally shifted its role in Iraq from combat to advising and assisting the Iraqi forces. But the US strategy to put more emphasis on China and Russia has been repeatedly stymied by Iran, forcing the Pentagon to maintain a significant troop presence across the Middle East and cultivate strong relations with allies in the region. In recent weeks, Iranian-backed militia groups have increased the pace of their attacks on US and allied forces in Iraq and Syria. The groups have made it clear they want all US troops out of Iraq, and have vowed to continue attacks until they are gone. Kurilla, who is from Elk River, Minnesota, is currently commander of the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, but previously served as the chief of staff at Central Command, working for McKenzie and, before that, Gen. Joseph Votel. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988, and has served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, commanding conventional and special operations forces. He commanded a Stryker battalion in Iraq in 2004, and was shot and maimed. He later was commander of the 75th Ranger Regiment, overseeing combat teams deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. He also served as director of operations at the Joint Special Operations Command and was commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. Related: Erik Kurilla: 2008-04-21 Yon: Replacing Fatalism with Hope Erik Kurilla: 2008-04-20 Greyhawk's (MudvilleGazette) Review of Yon's Book for NY Post Erik Kurilla: 2005-11-27 Confirmed: Willis to Make Yon Film. Bruce likely as Kurilla |
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Afghanistan |
US to deploy additional ‘650 Rangers’ to Afghanistan |
2021-04-28 |
[KhaamaPress] 650 US troops are reportedly scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan soon to provide support and protection to the withdrawal process, CNN ...formerly the Cable News Network, now who knows what it might stand for... reported Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the deployment to facilitate US withdrawal from Afghanistan, President Joe The Big GuyBiden ...46th president of the U.S. We get to suffer the consequences... ordered the U.S pull-out to be completed by September of this year. The infantry is reported to come from the 75th Ranger Regiment, which already has personnel stationed in the region as part of the special forces unit. The Rangers will be transported alongside a dedicated aircraft and close air support such as AC-130 gunships to protect them while providing support to the departing troops. Earlier, US military commanders have asked an aircraft carrier to help protect and provide safety during the US and NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A cautionary tale of cost-benefit analysis.... troops’ withdrawal NBC News reported. The aircraft carrier may be deployed in case the Taliban ...the Pashtun equivalent of men... chooses to launch attacks on NATO troops during the withdrawal process. According to USNI news the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, Carrier Air Wing 3and IKE’s escorts were operating in the Northern parts of the Arabian Sea to support operations against ISIS as part of inherent resolve. General Kenneth McKenzie has sent a request to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to keep the carriers in the area instead of carrying operations in other regions. Lloyd Austin besides approval of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower warship also approved two B-52 bombers aircraft to carry out ... KABOOM!... s in case the Taliban attacks the departing troops. |
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Science & Technology |
The Army's Next-Generation Squad Weapon is a big hit with special operators |
2020-05-15 |
[Business Insider] The 75th Ranger Regiment, Green Berets and other US special operations ground forces will be equipped with the conventional Army's Next Generation Squad Weapons. "We are an enthusiastic supporter of the Army's 6.8 mm Next Generation Squad Weapons," Col. Joel Babbitt, of Program Executive Officer Special Operations Forces Warrior, told Military.com recently. "We expect there will be Next Generation Squad Weapons in our formations as soon as we can receive them via fielding." The Army is in the final phase of evaluating NGSW prototypes from General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Inc., Textron Systems and Sig Sauer Inc. to replace the 5.56 mm M4A1 carbine and the M249 squad automatic weapon in infantry and other close-combat units. If all goes as planned, Army modernization officials will select the final design for the rifle and automatic rifle variants from a single firm in the first quarter of 2022 and begin fielding them a year later. PEO SOF Warrior is working with the Army to become part of the NGSW fielding plan at some point over the five-year, future-year defense plan, Babbitt said. US Special Operations Command hasn't always been as supportive of conventional Army weapons programs, such as the failed XM25 Counter-Defilade Target Engagement System, which was known as the Punisher. |
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Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
SOFREP reporting on the recent raid |
2019-10-30 |
[SOFREP] On Saturday night, approximately 70 special operators hailing from Delta Force’s A Squadron and the 75th Ranger Regiment stormed a compound in the Idlib Province of Northeast Syria, successfully neutralizing one of history’s most despotic leaders, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The mission has been hailed as a complete success, with no American troops lost and one service dog injured, but amidst all the media hype surrounding this story, it’s easy to forget just how dangerous this operation was for the troops involved before they ever even put their boots on the ground. According to SOFREP sources within the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), the U.S. Army’s legendary 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), also commonly known as the Nightstalkers, were the aviation unit tasked with ferrying Delta and the Rangers in and out of the fight. In total, eight helicopters (a combination of MH-60 Blackhawks and MH-47 Chinooks) participated. And it seems the engagement that ultimately ended with al-Baghdadi taking his own life actually kicked off well before America’s special operators were anywhere near the compound. Although not yet publicly disclosed, sources within JSOC confirmed for SOFREP that the assault force launched from Erbil, Iraq ‐ some 450 miles away from al-Baghdadi’s compound. This is a far greater distance to cover by air en route to an objective than during the raid to kill Osama Bin Laden, greatly increasing the risk of early warning for the target as well as exposing aircraft and personnel to a greater likelihood of ground-to-air engagement. In order to make this flight less dangerous, the Russian military was notified of the impending raid so as to limit the chances that the American aircraft might be engaged by Russian or Syrian air defense assets. |
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Government |
No Grunts Under 26, $250K Bonuses: DoD's Most Radical Ideas to Transform the Infantry |
2019-07-08 |
[Mil.com] What would it take to transform U.S. infantry into a higher-caliber force modeled after the elite 75th Ranger Regiment? For starters, find recruits in their mid-20s and offer them $250,000 bonuses and a $60,000-a-year salary. That's part of a working concept officials from the Pentagon's Close Combat Lethality Task Force (CCLTF) have been turning over for the past year in efforts to take Army and Marine infantry to a higher level of lethality. The task force is the legacy of former Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, a retired Marine Corps general and infantryman, who set out to place a new priority on a group that bears one of the heaviest burdens of warfare: the grunts. Since its 2018 launch, the CCLTF has helped to find money in the Defense Department's budget to accelerate high-tech programs, such as smart augmented reality goggles for soldiers. But despite its Defense Department backing, the organization faces a tough fight to convince the U.S. military's largest ground force to change the way it does business. Part of the task force's plan hinges on the Army's ability to revamp the antiquated methods it uses to recruit, select and train infantry and other select specialties with key roles in close combat. |
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Home Front: WoT |
Ranger "Tanto" Paronto raises some questions |
2017-06-10 |
[American Thinker] In a recently published book, The Ranger Way, Kris "Tanto" Paronto provides readers with extensive insight into what was going through his mind as he fought for his life and the lives of those around him on September 11th, 2012, and also breaks down those experiences into the lessons learned. Paronto’s résumé is very impressive. A former Army Ranger from 2nd Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment and a private security contractor he has been deployed throughout South America, Central America, the Middle East, and North Africa. Many might know him as a member of the CIA Annex Security Team that responded to the terrorist attack in Benghazi. Previously, he worked with the U.S. Government's Global Response Staff, the U.S. State Department High Threat Protection Program, and the Blackwater Security Consulting firm in high-threat environments around the world. He looks at the intelligence leaks today, where the British have said they will no longer share intelligence information with the U.S. and the Israelis blames the American media for outing them as a source, and wonders why nothing was ever linked about Benghazi, about which questions still remain: what did President Obama and Hillary Clinton know and when, who gave the stand-down order, and why weren’t the readily available military units deployed? Kris told American Thinker, "I really thought someone within the Agency would step up and tell the truth. This is when I saw the dirty side of government, seeing a cover-up of lies that included President Obama, Hillary Clinton, Patrick Kennedy, and Charlene Lamb. They along with the CIA acting director, Mike Morell, were entrenched within the political machine. It was disheartening and very disappointing. But to emphasize, it was not the guys and gals on the ground." The book describes an important tool to thrive, take responsibility. This mentality should be relatable for any person, unless your name is Hillary Clinton. Kris describes her as "arrogant. I want to be a thorn in her side. She sees herself as above the law. Yet, she leaked classified information, used open servers, and left people to die in Benghazi. She can rationalize away anything and puts herself before anyone else. I believe 90% of the national security people truly believe she would have made a terrible president." Kris also blames the national media. A quote from the book emphasizes how they spin the facts to favor the Obama administration, "If you want to take CNN’s word over a Marine’s, go right ahead. I’ll take the Marine’s word one hundred percent of the time." This was in response to a question asked about the stand-down order given by "Bob," the CIA Benghazi Chief. Another life lesson: do not be afraid to ask a question. Kris believes good leaders "would be happy with questions. ’Bob’ should have realized he was out of his element and asked questions of us, the experts. He pretended he knew what he was doing and it cost lives. I truly believe if we were sent out almost initially those at the compound would still be alive, instead of telling us we could not leave." At no time did he ever think of giving up and not speaking out. This is why he continues to want to reform a broken system. "It needs to be purged. The intelligence community should be about fighting terrorism, not leaking to support some agenda. They utilize the left-wing media outlets by putting out fake news. They leak stuff illegally to news agencies because they dislike the current administration. They are too heavily involved in politics instead of just doing their job." He realizes he is fighting a new battle. An important principle: have a battle strategy that strives to reach a goal by defining the mission’s importance. "We have a new combat area where we must speak out against politicians, TV, and news media personalities. Those of us in Benghazi were part of the Special Ops community and needed to be creative thinkers. We went through a process of anger, where we watched everything spin out of control, to realizing we must develop a strategy to fix and counter the false narrative. We are done just sitting on the sidelines. Military personnel have integrity, honor, and are patriotic. Maybe the national security agencies should recruit from the military because our love for country is stronger than our political views." An important lesson Kris wants to convey is, "Commit to owning errors when you make them, learning from your mistakes, and acting with integrity. These upper-echelon national security officials cannot admit when they are wrong. Maybe, they are taught it in a class on the Farm. They should have the strength to say a mistake was made here. For example, I do not think it was a coincidence that David Petraeus stepped down as CIA Director after an IT complaint was filed. People should know that on September 12th in Tripoli all the contractors were flown out to Germany leaving only the CIA staffers. No one wanted us talking to him. He was given the wrong story, which is when one CIA staffer had the courage to file the IT report. I now know it was all corruption." In reading this book, Americans will learn that Kris is definitely not a politically correct kind of guy. He persevered through the Benghazi tragedy and wants others to learn how they can succeed through life. Having integrity, courage, and faith in G-d has allowed him to overcome life’s hardships and he hopes his own life lessons can be helpful to others. |
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