Friend, fellow Army officer, drinker of fine whiskey, and smoker of great cigars, Romeo Pulikkathara, posted this on FB earlier. As Memorial Day is not “celebrated,” but observed, it is a solemn day of remembrance, to honor those who “...gave the last full measure of devotion...” I can think of no greater way to remember these great men and women on this day.
Likely the finest speech ever given on American soil, President Lincoln’s 272 word Gettysburg Address, given on November 19, 1863.
"Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate—we cannot hallow—this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
Rest In Peace Ladies and Gentlemen. We Got The Watch.
Lieutenant Daniel Duane Hinton
Florida Highway Patrol, Florida
End of Watch Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Age 56
Tour 32 years
Lieutenant Daniel Hinton suffered a fatal heart attack while participating in a defensive tactics training exercise at the Fort Myers Florida Highway Patrol Station.
He was transported to the Gulf Coast Medical Center where he passed away a short time later.
Lt. Hinton had served with the Florida Highway Patrol for 32 years and was assigned to the Criminal Interdiction Unit. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
My friend Darren at RotLC texted me this weekend on how this year's Rolling Thunder would be the last. There were issues with the cost and getting permits. Well, it may not be over yet.
President Trump said in a tweet early Sunday that the Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally will return to Washington, D.C. next year, following news that the veterans' advocacy group had encountered trouble obtaining permits for the event.
“The Great Patriots of Rolling Thunder WILL be coming back to Washington, D.C. next year, & hopefully for many years to come,” Trump tweeted.
“It is where they want to be, & where they should be. Have a wonderful time today, he added. “Thank you to our great men & women of the Pentagon for working it out!”
ABC News reported Friday that one of the annual Memorial Day weekend ride's founders said this year's event would likely be the last. Former Army Sgt. Artie Muller cited increasing costs surrounding the trip and frequent alleged harassment from law enforcement.
A spokeswoman for the Pentagon pushed back on assertions that the Department of Defense had been involved in the group's supposed conflicts with law enforcement, stating that it supported groups exercising their First Amendment rights.
"The department supports the peaceful, lawful exercise of American citizens' First Amendment rights, and remains focused on ensuring the safety and security of the demonstrators and the Pentagon Reservation," the spokeswoman, Sue Gough, told the network. "The department is prepared to support the 2019 Rolling Thunder ride, as we have for the last 31 years."
Trump tweeted on Saturday that he would be happy to help the group obtain permits and praised the bikers for their patriotism.
"Can’t believe that Rolling Thunder would be given a hard time with permits in Washington, D.C. They are great Patriots who I have gotten to know and see in action. They love our Country and love our Flag. If I can help, I will!" he wrote.
I can't see most cops interfering with Rolling Thunder, it is a vet heavy occupation. However, permits, insurance, required assistance from law enforcement (i.e. escorts) are necessary evils for a great cause.
Hopefully this will be settled soon, and more Americans can make Rolling Thunder 2020.
A friend from the academy mentioned how his retirement plans include moving to the Rocky Mountain states. "Mike, after New Orleans and Houston, I want somewhere where I have four seasons." My response, "We got four season, two months of fall, two months of winter, two months of spring, and six month of summer."
As this is the Memorial Day weekend, and I have family and friends coming in for a crawfish boil tomorrow (an annual event), and the official summer season is here, I think this is a great song to greet it with.
Have a great weekend, and remember, Memorial Day is not celebrated. It's commemorated.
Agent Alfred Zanyet-Pérez Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico End of Watch Friday, February 15, 2019 Age 52 Tour 18 years Agent Alfred Zanyet-Pérez was shot and killed while conducting an undercover operation in the Duey Bajo community in San Germán, Puerto Rico. He was at a store along PR-330 when a subject in a passing vehicle opened fire, fatally wounding him. A bystander was also wounded in the shooting. The vehicle fled the area and the suspect(s) remain at large. Agent Alfred Zanyet-Pérez had served with the Puerto Rico Police Department and was assigned to the Drugs and Narcotics Division in Yauco. He is survived by his wife and eight children.
Police Officer Matthew J. Rittner Milwaukee Police Department, Wisconsin End of Watch Wednesday, February 6, 2019 Age 35 Tour 17 years Police Officer Matthew Rittner was shot and killed as he executed a narcotics and firearms related search warrant at a home in the 2900 block of South 12th Street near West Dakota Street. As the Tactical Enforcement Unit attempted to breach the apartment door the suspect opened fire with an AK-47, shooting through the door and striking Officer Rittner in the chest. Officer Rittner was transported to Froedtert Hospital where he died from his injuries. The subject who shot him was taken into custody at the scene. He was charged with first-degree intentional homicide and numerous other narcotics and weapons charges. Officer Rittner was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran of the War on Terror. He had served with the Milwaukee Police Department for 17 years. He is survived by his wife and child.
For ages, I've been wanting to put a phonograph of some type in my office, and I finally saw something on Amazon. An all in one player (Records, CDs, AM/FM, cassettes of all things) in a classic Victrola form. I pulled the vinyl from my closet downstairs, and decided faith would decide what record plays first. I grabbed a 45, and got Take Me Home, County Roads, by John Denver.
But I looked further into the stash, and I recalled I "borrowed," over the ages, a few records from my brother Bobby. I found Precious Time by Pat Benatar, the first album I "liberated" from his collection. He was cool with me borrowing them, he knew he could always get them back.
As this is the second anniversary of his passing, I think it's appropriate to play a great song from that album. An appropriately titled album and song on this day, Precious Time. God I miss you Bobby.
Trooper Lucas Bartley Dowell
Virginia State Police, Virginia
End of Watch Monday, February 4, 2019
Age 28
Tour 4 years, 3 months
Badge 876
Trooper Lucas Dowell was shot and killed as he and other members of the Virginia State Police's Tactical Team made entry into a home to secure it for a search warrant as part of a narcotics investigation.
The team was assisting members of the Piedmont Regional Drug and Gang Task Force serve the search warrant at a home in the 1500 block of Cumberland Road just outside the Farmville town limits in Cumberland County. The occupant inside opened fire on the officers inside of the home, fatally wounding Trooper Dowell. Two other members of the Tactical Team returned fire and killed the subject.
Trooper Dowell was transported to Southside Community Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.
Trooper Dowell had served with the Virginia State Police for four years and was assigned to the Appomattox Division. He is survived by his parents and sister.
One of the greatest quotes from Whoopi Goldberg is not a joke. When she was a child, the first time see saw Nichelle Nichols as LT Uhura, she screamed to her parents, "Mom and dad, come quick, there's a black woman on TV, and she's not a maid!"
Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future included strong women, and it was going to be multi-racial. In spite of her initial misgivings to her relatively limited roll in the show, Dr. Martin Luthur King encouraged her to stay on the show. No where but in Star Trek-TOS did you see a black female as an equal to others on the set. And she did make history in another fashion. In the episode Plato's Stepchildren, she and Captain Kirk (William Shatner) engaged in the first bi-racial kiss on American TV.
Alas, the hailing frequencies will be closed in the near future. After multiple health issues, Ms. Nichols will conduct one final tour, then go into retirement.
Nichelle Nichols, the first lady of Star Trek, is preparing for her retirement tour. Ms. Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura, the communications officer of Jim Kirk’s Enterprise, is 86 now and her health is not what it was. She suffered a stroke in 2015.
Her son, Kyle Johmson, filed for a conservatorship to protect her interests, fearing she was being cheated by those who wanted her money. However, her friend Angelique Fawcett claimed that Ms. Nichols did not have dementia, and that it was her son who was after her money. Those who have seen her recently claim that Ms. Nichols is not doing well and that she failed to recognize an old friend at WonderCon in Anaheim, CA this spring.
Ms. Nichols is planning a farewell tour, with a series of convention appearances during the summer of 2020. Sky Conway, the producer behind the Trek-alike web series Renegades, is working with her to crowdfund a documentary about her life.
The website TrekMovie.com announced that Ms. Nichols “has announced she will be making her final public appearances over the next 12 months, with her last being a special ‘Hailing Frequencies Open…One Last Time!’ convention on the first weekend of May 2020. It was revealed last year that Nichols was diagnosed with moderate progressive dementia and she plans on moving in with her son Kyle, who has been acting as her proxy and is joining her on her farewell tour.”
For her final appearances, Nichelle is doing photo opportunities and signings, but not panels...
She was a good looking bad ass in the series, and lived a great life afterwards. Hell of a shame, eventually everyone has to bow out.
LLAP LT Uhura, and I wish you the best in your golden years. Hopefully I can arrange to visit on your tour.
Detective Brian P. Simonsen
New York City Police Department, New York
End of Watch Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Age 42
Tour 19 years
Badge 3877
Detective Brian Simonsen was shot and killed while responding to a robbery at a cell phone store at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 120th Street in the Richmond Hill section of the city.
Detective Simonsen and his sergeant were canvassing on an unrelated case when they heard a call for a robbery in progress. They responded to the store where they encountered a subject and attempted to apprehend him. As patrol officers responded to the scene both detectives, who were in plainclothes, were struck by friendly fire as the suspect pointed what was later determined to be a fake gun at responding officers.
Detective Simonsen succumbed to his wounds. His sergeant was transported to a local hospital with injuries.
The suspect was also shot and wounded.
Detective Simonsen had served with the New York City Police Department for 19 years and was assigned to the 102nd Precinct Detective Squad.
Border Patrol Agent Donna Doss
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, U.S. Government
End of Watch Saturday, February 2, 2019
Age 49
Tour 15 years
Badge A200
Border Patrol Agent Donna Doss was struck and killed by a vehicle on the south service road of I-20 near mile marker 276, between Tye and Merkel, Texas.
She had responded to the location to assist a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper determine the status of a subject believed to be in the country illegally.
Agent Doss had served with the United States Border Patrol for 16 years and was assigned to the Del Rio Sector. She is survived by her husband, two stepsons, parents, brother, and sister.
My old friend Mike Ford posted an excellent article at Red State America on Kendrick Castillo's actions. When the need arises, men will take action.
Rest in Peace Mr Castillo. You're life was cut short by a coward, but I recall the words of Teddy Roosevelt:
...and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Kendrick Castillo is a hero. Period. Full Stop. Last Tuesday, May 7, 2019, a student walked into a classroom and started shooting. As reported by CNN
After a classmate pulled out a gun in class, Kendrick Castillo couldn’t just stay still. He was surrounded by the friends he considered family and they were all in danger. Kendrick died when he lunged at the shooter, giving other students at STEM School Highlands Ranch enough time to hide, his family and a classmate said.
The article goes on
The 18-year-old was watching “The Princess Bride” in his British literature class when the shooter pulled out a gun, demanding that nobody moved. After Kendrick lunged at the shooter, three other students also tackled the gunman and tried to subdue him while the rest of the class fled the room.
The New York Times tells the story from an eyewitness perspective
Nui Giasolli, an 18-year-old senior who was in the class at the time, stated that Castillo lunged to stop the gunman and was shot dead. Eight other students were wounded in the shooting at STEM School Highlands Ranch on Tuesday afternoon, which the authorities said was carried out by two fellow students.
Ms Giasolli further elaborates (emphasis mine)
Ms. Giasolli said Mr. Castillo’s split-second decision to lunge for the gunman gave the other students a precious few seconds of cover to dive under their desks or rush the gunman. Ms. Giasolli said a cluster of boys then tackled the gunman, allowing her and others to flee the classroom.
Further down in the article is a discussion regarding the best method to deal with an active shooter and for once, the New York Times gets it right. As I’ve noted before, the best way to stop a mass shooting, is the timely arrival of a Good Guy—ideally, with a gun.
So far, so good. Although CNN appeared to ignore the fact that it was “a cluster of boys” who tackled the Gunman, I’ll give them the “early reporting” benefit of the doubt. That excuse however, won’t wash with NPR and an early Saturday morning interview with a “licensed professional counselor,” Melissa Glaser, who questioned whether we should encourage students to fight back. The entire audio can be found here.
Here are some of her thoughts. I transcribed these, so any errors are of course, mine.
What we don’t want is for other adolescents to feel a pressure or need to jump into the line of fire.
We don’t want students thinking that the right thing to do is to be a hero. We want students thinking that the right thing to do is to follow safety protocols.
Wrong. We don’t want them to lay down and die like sheep. We don’t want them to be shot in the back trying futilely to run away. We expect our young men to look after our young women. Sometimes that means you have to take on an attacker. Sometimes that means you might have to make a real, live, no-kiddin’ sacrifice. This “counselor’s” thought process is part of the reason for the emasculation of young men in our society.
As for “follow protocols,” I consulted with my wife, a retired High School Principal. She agrees with my assessment—Castillo didn’t follow protocols and that’s why a number of kids are alive today instead of on a slab.
If there is any ‘good news” in this story, it’s that once the shooter started murdering his classmates, what actually should have happened, actually did happen. Men, yes, MEN did what they were supposed to do. That “cluster” of Men led by Castillo, attacked the murderer and subdued him so their female classmates could escape, Castillo giving his life in the effort. That’s what Men do. That’s why we have built in aggression, for just such instances. We don’t run from threats to our families and friends. We attack them. That’s not “toxic;” it’s what makes us men, not effeminate eunuchs.
Senator Kamala Harris, Candidate for the Democrat Presidential nomination, just had to throw her ill-formed opinion into the mix.
We are not waiting on tragedies and we are not waiting on good ideas,” Harris said, pointing to the “heroism of a child who we now mourn his loss, his parents’ only child.”
Wrong Senator. You have it all wrong. Kendrick Castillo isn’t a child. He’s a Man, a Man who led other Men into battle, before he could even go to a recruiting station and take an oath of enlistment—-just like Todd Beamer and his band of brothers on Flight 93. He’s a Real Man, the likes of which you and others on your team are doing your best to rid America of. I’m happy to say your efforts have failed in this instance. You weren’t able to browbeat the “toxic masculinity” out of Kendrick Castillo and his Squad. Good.
Detective William Lee Brewer
Clermont County Sheriff's Office, Ohio
End of Watch Saturday, February 2, 2019
Age 42
Tour 20 years
Detective Bill Brewer was shot and killed after responding to call from a suicidal man armed with a gun at an apartment complex at 368 St. Andrews Drive in Pierce Township.
Shortly before 7:00 pm the Clermont County Sheriff's Office received a call from the man who initially stated that someone had broken into his home. The same man later told 911 dispatchers that he was suicidal and armed with a gun. When officers arrived they couldn't contact the man who had barricaded himself inside his apartment.
Several minutes later the man fired several shots prompting officers from several agencies to respond and begin to negotiate with him. At 10:30 pm the man again opened fire from his apartment. The shots struck and killed Detective Brewer and wounded a second deputy.
The man was taken into custody inside of the apartment by members of the SWAT Team a short time later.
Detective Brewer had served with the Clermont County Sheriff's Office for 20 years. His is survived by his wife and 5-year-old son.
In 1984, I met MSG Richard Chism for the first time. He intimidated the hell out of me. Vietnam veteran, Special Forces, he was a sight. And I learned a hell of a lot from the man. It was scary how silently he could walk through a forest. I was honored to serve him as best man later in life. And I was also honored with a more depressing duty, to serve as a pallbearer.
I was a very dismal day in October, 2003, I received a call from his wife, telling me he had passed in the night. I drove up the next day, and with five other friends, escorted him to his final resting place.
I can't believe it'e been 16 years since that dark day. I finally got up to visit his final resting place. It took a while to find it, a small grave yard in the middle of a very small town. But I think we would have appreciated me riding up on my Harley Davidson to visit. The last time I saw him we rode together, me on my old Kawasaki, him on his new Gold Wing. Damn I wish we could take another ride.
I spent around 20 minutes with the man. Wish I had some stuff to clean the marker, it needs it. I'll be prepared next time around (and the flag needs replacement). I left a dime to mark the visit.
As I'm approaching 55 years on this earth, I know something will become more commonplace. Funerals. No one gets out of here alive, we're not young anymore, and friends are passing. This August I will ride to New York, and I'll pass by Arlington National Cemetery. I have two friends buried there. I'm seeing a pattern, unfortunately.
Rest in Peace Rich. We'll link up again sometime. And damed do I miss you.
Earlier this week I posted on Beth and I going to see Bob Seger in The Woodlands TX. Well we’re now in Tyler TX, for the Blue Knights Rio Grande Conference. And I just got from visiting a very close friend. His grave, actually (more on that later). But Bob Seger loves riding, and I’m surrounded by hundreds of motorcycles and riders, I can’t think of a better video to end the week on. From a concert in January 2019.
Corporal Shane Michael Totty
Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana
End of Watch Friday, February 1, 2019
Age 31
Tour 4 years, 7 months
Corporal Shane Totty was killed in a motorcycle crash in the 6400 block of Jones Creek Road while escorting a funeral procession.
His police motorcycle collided with another vehicle that pulled out in front of him at approximately 2:40 pm. Bystanders and responding officers performed CPR before he was transported to a local hospital. He succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
Corporal Totty had only returned to full duty several months earlier after being shot in the face by a mental subject in February 2018.
Corporal Totty had served with the Baton Rouge Police Department for 4-1/2 years. He is survived by his wife and young child.
K9 Vader
Virginia State Police, Virginia
End of Watch Wednesday, August 1, 2018
Breed Belgian Malinois
Gender Male
Age 2
K9 Vader was shot and killed during a vehicle pursuit of a murder suspect in a stolen vehicle in Sussex County at approximately 8:20 am.
A trooper initiated the pursuit after locating the stolen car traveling on I-95. The man driving the vehicle was wanted for the murder of one woman and the wounding of a second woman in Connecticut. The vehicle fled on the interstate as the driver opened fire at troopers. The pursuit continued to the area of Loco School Road and Bell Road, where the man continued to fire at troopers. One of the rounds struck K9 Vader, who was still in the backseat compart of the patrol car. Troopers returned fire, killing the suspect.
K9 Vader was a narcotics detection canine assigned to the Virginia State Police Drug Interdiction Task Force. He had served with the Virginia State Police for nine months.
Rest in Peace Vader…till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!
In Memory of all Police Dogs
They handled themselves with beauty & grace
And who could ever forget that beautiful face
Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test
They always worked hard; and did their best
They were real champions; at work or at play
But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day
While working on the job with their partner one day
They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way
They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give
They gave up their life; so someone could live
The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say
Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way
Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze
The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees
The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall
Off in the distance they can see a waterfall
As they look over the falls; down through the creek
The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek
Far up above; in the deep blue sky
They see the birds soar high; as they fly by
They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall
Chasing each other; and just having a ball
They play all day; from morning to night
There's no more rain; just warm sunlight
Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow
Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow
The harps would play and the angels would sing
As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings
We remember that they died; in the line of duty
And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty
Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free
With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree
No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take
Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake
A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore
Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more
These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above
They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love
We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night
In loving memory of all; these very special knights
Deputy Sheriff LJ Ryer was killed in a vehicle crash while en route to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Washington, Georgia to pick up an inmate.
His patrol car collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Andrew Drive and Georgia Route 47.
Deputy Ryer had served with the Glascock County Sheriff's Office for only five months.
K9 Midas
Hancock County Sheriff's Office, West Virginia
End of Watch Monday, July 30, 2018
Breed Belgian Malinois-German Shepherd mix
Gender Male
Age 4
Tour 3 years
K9 Midas died from complication of heat exhaustion suffered after the air conditioning unit and the failsafe unit failed in his handler's patrol car.
The vehicle was parked at the Hancock County Sheriff's Office when the failure occurred. The patrol car was equipped with a failsafe system that was intended to roll down the windows and activate an alarm if the air conditioner stopped, but the failsafe system did not activate.
K9 Midas was transported to a local veterinary office where he suffered additional complications from the heat exhaustion and died later that day.
K9 Midas had served with the Hancock County Sheriff's Office for three years.
Rest in Peace Midas …till our next roll call at the Rainbow Bridge!
In Memory of all Police Dogs
They handled themselves with beauty & grace
And who could ever forget that beautiful face
Whether at work; or at home; whatever the test
They always worked hard; and did their best
They were real champions; at work or at play
But their lives were cut short; suddenly one day
While working on the job with their partner one day
They put themselves out on a limb; out into harms way
They gave the ultimate sacrifice; any dog can give
They gave up their life; so someone could live
The best of their breed; as his partner and anyone would say
Many hearts are now broken; that he had to prove it this way
Now as the trees are blowing in the gentle breeze
The sun is shining; thru the leaves on the trees
The meadows are green; and the grass grows tall
Off in the distance they can see a waterfall
As they look over the falls; down through the creek
The water flows gently; as a rabbit sneaks a peek
Far up above; in the deep blue sky
They see the birds soar high; as they fly by
They see animals playing; at the bridge by a waterfall
Chasing each other; and just having a ball
They play all day; from morning to night
There's no more rain; just warm sunlight
Off in the distance; they hear trumpets blow
Then all the animals look up; and notice a bright glow
The harps would play and the angels would sing
As they know they've come home; they've earned their wings
We remember that they died; in the line of duty
And are now with the Lord; sharing in heaven's beauty
Off to the meadows now; where they can play and roam free
With an occasional rest stop; under a tall oak tree
No more bad guys to chase; or bullets to take
Just a run through the meadow; down to the lake
A quick splash in the water; then back to the shore
Then it's off to the forest; to go play some more
These special dogs are back home; up in heaven above
They're cradled in God's arm's; and covered with His love
We'll light a candle for all of them; in the dark of night
In loving memory of all; these very special knights
Police Officer Sean Paul Tuder Mobile Police Department, Alabama End of Watch Sunday, January 20, 2019 Age 30 Tour 3 years Badge 188 Police Officer Sean Tuder was shot and killed as he and several other officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant at an apartment complex at 1545 Leroy Steven Road at 3:00 pm. The wanted subject had local and federal warrants for several charges. During the previous week, he had faked his own abduction in order to avoid reporting to jail. Shots were fired as officers attempted to take the man into custody and Officer Tuder was fatally wounded. The subject was taken into custody at the scene. Officer Tuder was a member of the Alabama National Guard and had served with the Mobile Police Department for three years. He had previously been recognized as Officer of the Month.
The Pentagon is attempting a budget gimmick in this year’s cycle by proposing to retire an aircraft carrier more than two decades earlier than planned because doing so would save the nation billions.
The strategy has already met stiff resistance from lawmakers, who will most likely dismantle the Pentagon’s plan to retire the multibillion-dollar ship ahead of schedule. The Navy is mandated to have 11 operational aircraft carriers in its inventory, and the move would drop the fleet number to 10.
The Navy would have preferred to keep the aircraft carrier in the fleet but sacrificed it to pay for other Pentagon priorities that support the National Defense Strategy such as upgrading to the more modern Ford-class carriers instead of paying for maintenance of the legacy aircraft carrier class. Other priorities include submarines, unmanned naval systems, hypersonic weapons, artificial intelligence and cyberwarfare.
Retiring an aircraft carrier early may increase U.S. Navy aviation readiness statistics
Congress must determine USS Truman’s fate this year
The nuclear-powered USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), launched in the mid-1990s, is scheduled for a midlife refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia in 2024-28. The RCOH, which refuels the carrier’s two nuclear reactors, would ensure an additional 25 years of service life...
The U.S. Air Force’s next tanker aircraft will probably be autonomous, the service’s top acquisition official says.
“We can see it in the tea leaves,” said Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics.
The Air Mobility Command was scheduled by the end of last year to complete a capabilities-based assessment for KC-Z, the aircraft that the Air Force wants to follow the Boeing KC-46A into production after 2027.
The assessment marks the first step in the Pentagon’s process for launching a new acquisition program. It should be followed by a roughly yearlong analysis of alternatives, which generates the data used to set requirements ahead of a solicitation.
But Roper already seems convinced that KC-Z will not use a human operator on board the tanker aircraft to guide the Air Force’s required refueling boom into a receiver...
The administration and Capitol Hill are on a collision course over the future of U.S. nukes.
President Donald Trump’s plan to expand America’s nuclear arsenal is encountering sharp opposition in the Democratic House of Representatives, with critics saying the administration is creating unnecessary risks to world peace—particularly by adding new tactical nuclear weapons that can be used in a conventional war.
The debate is potentially set to come to a head in June, when the House will begin marking up the annual defense policy bill.
The clash comes at a pivotal moment for global arms control. The Trump administration is seriously considering dismantling at least one treaty with Russia that has set arms control policy for the past 30 years. Meanwhile, China, which is largely unbound by Cold War-era arms control agreements, is swiftly building up its military arsenal, including both nuclear and conventional missiles. And in the background, North Korea and Iran are both developing their own nuclear arsenals.
The question Congress and the administration must resolve is one that has been at the core of arms control debates for decades and has no easy answer: If potential adversaries begin to challenge U.S. dominance in nuclear weapons, is the world safer with an unmatched U.S. deterrent, or without it?
Former President Barack Obama initiated the current plan to modernize America’s aging arsenal of nuclear weapons: the Air Force’s bombers, nuclear cruise missiles, and land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, as well as the Navy’s nuclear-armed submarines. In 2017, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Obama administration’s plan to replace and maintain the arsenal over the next 30 years would cost $1.2 trillion, including $400 billion for modernization alone. Congress largely supported Obama’s plan...
The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) is collaborating with its counterparts from Peru as they help secure runners and onlookers at Monday’s Boston Marathon. DSS will welcome members of the Peruvian National Police, giving them a chance to observe and support security at the marathon in preparation for Peru’s hosting of the Pan American Games in Lima from July 26 to August 11.
DSS is the federal law enforcement and security sector of the U.S. Department of State – primarily focused on securing the safety of U.S. personnel, property and other resources overseas. Additionally, DSS secures the Secretary of State and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations at all times and the security of all foreign dignitaries attending the annual U.N. General Assembly in New York City. Another major task of DSS is securing American interests in overseas sporting events as well as liaising with other agencies to help secure large sporting events at home, so the Peruvian officials can take home some valuable tips as they get ready to host their games...
The advance of a rogue militia on Tripoli, the capital city of Libya, has forced the hasty evacuation of U.S. troops from that country, highlighting the lack of a cohesive strategy for ongoing U.S. military operations in Africa and a seeming White House ambivalence about the continent, according to former officials.
For several years, from a handful of outposts in Libya, U.S. special operators have been conducting counterterrorism missions with names like Obsidian Lotus and Odyssey Resolve. These are just two of dozens of named operations that, largely unknown to the American public, have been launched from a string of bases across the northern half of Africa, according to information obtained by Yahoo News via the Freedom of Information Act.
Despite the large number of military operations in the region, some former officials say neither the Obama administration nor the current White House has taken much interest in coming up with a coherent policy for U.S. military operations on the continent. “During my time at the White House with the Trump administration there wasn’t a great deal of concern about doing much in northern Africa,” said a former official who recently served on the National Security Council. “There was not a lot of interest or focus on Africa during the time I was there...”
How Belt and Road threatens countries’ ability to achieve self-reliance.
This week, leaders from around the world are descending on Beijing for China’s second Belt and Road Forum, a conference to showcase China’s signature diplomatic initiative. But these leaders should be clear-eyed that China’s efforts to use its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to broaden its geopolitical and economic clout risk saddling developing countries with unsustainable debt while increasing their dependency on China.
The fact that poorer countries struggle with debt is nothing new, but after years of successful efforts to reduce their debt burden—including through the largest debt forgiveness program in history, started under U.S. President Bill Clinton and advanced by the George W. Bush Administration and the international community—they are once again going into the red. Unlike before, developing countries’ strategic assets, such as their resources, mineral deposits, port access rights, and the like, are now targeted by creditors as collateral in many of these predatory deals...
SANTIAGO, Chile — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Friday that China’s financing of President Nicolás Maduro’s government is prolonging the crisis in Venezuela.
Pompeo kicked off a four-country tour of Latin America in Chile, where he met with President Sebastián Piñera to discuss the U.S.-China trade war and the Venezuelan crisis. Hyperinflation, shortages of food and medicine and other hardships have forced more than 3 million Venezuelans — about one-tenth of the population — to flee the country in the last few years.
Mike Pompeo
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is greeted as he arrives in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Saturday. Associated Press/Jorge Saenz
“China’s bankrolling of the Maduro regime helped precipitate and prolong the crisis in that country,” Pompeo said, adding that China invested over $60 billion, “with no strings attached.”
“It’s no surprise that Maduro used the money to use for tasks like paying off cronies, crushing pro-democracy activists, and funding ineffective social programs,” he said...
EUROPE
Intrigue in the Sea of Azov. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence is rumored to have urged German Chancellor Angela Merkel to send warships to the Kerch Strait in a show of support to Ukraine during a Feb. 16 meeting. Germany refused Pence's proposal and France also declined to take part, both countries deeming such a move an unnecessary provocation of Russia. This is revealing if true and would confirm the dynamic interplay of Western powers when it comes to Ukraine. The U.S. has traditionally been bolder in its support of Kiev against Russia — both in terms of rhetoric and concrete security assistance. Germany and France, however, hold a more moderate line on the Ukraine issue. If Kiev is able to get the kind of direct military support from Western or NATO powers that it seeks to build up its military and naval capabilities, there could be an escalation of tensions in the Black Sea region.
BEIJING and LOS ANGELES—The first test flight of a privately developed Chinese reusable space launcher hurled an experimental hypersonic waverider vehicle to a speed faster than 4,300 kph (2,800 mph) on April 23, the company behind the rocket program said.
Xiamen University and the company, Space Transportation, undertook the development of the launcher and waverider combination, a test vehicle called Jiageng 1. Since Jiageng 1 was based on the winged Tianxing I-1 launcher, the company said this was also the first flight of its rocket, which is intended for a horizontal landing recovery.
The hypersonic test payload was a dual waverider design incorporating the Xiamen University-developed XTER (Xiamen Turbine Ejector-Ramjet Combined Cycle) propulsion system, a compact tandem over-under hybrid turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine. Like other hypersonic waverider designs, the vehicle is designed to gain a high-speed lift-to-drag ratio benefit from the compression lift generated by its own shock wave...
Clashes between the United States and China in the contested waters of the Asia-Pacific region have ramped up in recent months, abetted by the two countries' ongoing great power competition. This is particularly apparent in the South China Sea, where Beijing continues to push for dominance. In response, Washington has begun evolving its strategies to deter China's growing presence — increasing the likelihood for direct confrontation in the region.
According to an April 28 report, Chief of U.S. Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson warned that the United States would treat China's coast guard and maritime militia the same as it does the country's navy. Richardson allegedly told the Financial Times that he made these remarks to his Chinese counterpart, Shen Jinlong, in January — adding that the U.S. Navy will respond to "provocative acts" by Chinese maritime militias in its continued effort to "conduct routine and lawful operations" around the world...
Trump’s new Iran sanctions will hurt the United States in the long term.
This week, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo moved to end sanctions waivers on Iranian oil—a major step to increase financial pressure on Tehran. The new policy, once it goes into force on May 2, aims to force China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Turkey to stop buying crude from Iran, depriving the country of its primary source of cash.
In the near term, the pressure tactic will mostly work, successfully siphoning off a significant share of Iran’s oil exports. The big buyers in the handful of countries still doing oil business with Iran will plead for leniency, or kick and scream, and then grudgingly wind down. They are unlikely to get to zero, for lack of affordable and available alternatives, possible permission from the United States to slow-walk their retreat, and good old-fashioned recalcitrance. But they will likely steer away from committing reputational and financial suicide by flagrantly breaching U.S. sanctions.
President Donald Trump will surely shout victory. He is right that the United States can, for now, weaponize the global financial system. Washington can use sanctions to bring businesses around the world to their knees, making them the unwilling executors of U.S. national security policy.
Tehran is seething and threatening retaliation. It is probably closer to leaving the 2015 nuclear deal than it has ever been. European countries and other supporters of the agreement are irate. Their limited willingness to cooperate with the United States on security issues is shrinking.
These are all desired outcomes for the Trump administration, regardless of the collateral damage to the working poor around the globe, who will bear the brunt of spiking energy prices.
Ultimately, by tightening the economic vice, the Trump administration aims to isolate Iran and create enough pressure to instigate regime change.Ultimately, by tightening the economic vice, the Trump administration aims to isolate Iran and create enough pressure to instigate regime change. The White House wants to exact commitments from Iran to end its support for terrorism, missile proliferation, and human rights abuses—along with other destabilizing regional activities—and curtail the country’s nuclear ambitions. The administration also wants Iran to embrace transparency, liberal politics, and peace....
Unreliable electricity supplies have hampered Iraq's reconstruction efforts since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003. An agreement signed April 30 with Siemens to boost its power generation capabilities will help Iraq slowly diversify its electricity sources away from Iran and reduce protests driven by chronic brownouts and blackouts.
What Happened
Iraq has approved a deal with Germany-based Siemens to upgrade its dilapidated power sector and build electricity projects. The deal, which could be worth at least $14 billion, was announced April 30 while Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi was in Germany for a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. The Iraqi-Siemens "road map" to restore and boost Iraq's electricity supply "includes the addition of new and highly-efficient power generation capacity, rehabilitation and upgrade of existing plants and the expansion of transmission and distribution networks," Siemens said in a statement...
In Hanoi, President Trump rejected a proposal by Kim Jong Un to dismantle nuclear facilities at the Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center in exchange for lifting most of the economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations Security Council since March 2016. For his part, Chairman Kim rejected Trump’s ambitious proposal to dismantle all of North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs in exchange for lifting all US sanctions. In the aftermath of Hanoi, US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun and his North Korean counterpart Ambassador Kim Hyok Chol may resume negotiations to find a compromise between “too little and too big.” Such negotiations are likely to include further proposals to constrain or cease North Korean production of fissile material (plutonium and enriched uranium) in exchange for reciprocal actions by the US, including an “end-of-war declaration” ending the Korean War, establishment of liaison offices, and partial sanctions relief...
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has been the driving force behind North-South normalization and reconciliation, inter-Korean cooperation, and peace and security building on the Korean Peninsula. Significant progress has been made on this track over the past year, but the process is on life support and badly needs an industrial-scale shot of adrenaline. Unfortunately, the Trump administration and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have left Moon with no room to maneuver. The US is not vested in the success of Moon’s inter-Korean enterprise—in fact, its uncompromising approach to denuclearization and sanctions relief has effectively kneecapped Moon. The South Korean president will not risk a major rupture in relations with the US to push his North-South agenda, while Kim Jong Un has likely lost trust in Moon as a negotiating partner because of his failure to deliver on economic cooperation and a peace declaration. Simply put, Moon is now at the mercy of Trump and Kim—and the more he is perceived by either of them as straining to do something, the less they will be impressed. The only option he has at this point is to play the long game.
North-South Progress
Bilateral relations between the North and South have undergone a rapid and positive transformation. The dark and stormy days of 2017, when dialogue was scarce to nonexistent, have been replaced by a de facto normalization of relations where it is now plausible to envision a permanent end to over 70 years of mutual hostility. It is no longer frowned upon for South Korean officials to meet their North Korean colleagues, a complete change in tone from previous years that provides the leaders of both countries with the time and political space, at least until recently, to discuss problems in a respectful and constructive way.
This April 27 will mark the first anniversary of the historic inter-Korean summit in Panmunjom, where Moon and Kim clasped hands and ceremonially crossed the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in a symbolic demonstration to the world of a fresh start. The North-South track hasn’t been all symbolism and historic photo ops, however. The three Kim-Moon summits have produced concrete agreements on everything from military de-escalation measures and cross-border economic projects to discussions about joint work on ecology and tourism. The April 2018 Panmunjom declaration, which committed both countries to “more active cooperation, exchanges, visits and contacts,” jumpstarted more regular interactions at the working level. Pyongyang and Seoul reaffirmed their commitment to reconciliation during their third summit in the North Korean capital five months later. The liaison office established in the border town of Kaesong, one of the summit’s main deliverables, has been operational for months; according to South Korean officials, the office hosted 285 meetings in its first three months.
In perhaps the most iconic scene since the first Kim-Moon summit last April, North and South Korean soldiers, who are normally trained to wage war against one another, were instead seen greeting each other as they worked to verify the removal of 22 guard posts on both sides of the DMZ. Taken together, all of these measures have contributed to a period of quiet and stability on the Korean Peninsula, an objective that serves the interests of the US, North Korea, South Korea and the wider East Asian region...
RUSSIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
SYRIA
NOTHING SIGNIFICANT TO REPORT
MIDDLE EAST GENERAL
Why Business as Usual May Soon Change in Saudi Arabia
More than three-quarters of Saudis live in the kingdom's big cities, like the capital, Riyadh, where jobs and other opportunities are rich.(SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
Highlights
Following the broader, global trend of urban migration, differences in economic opportunity in Saudi Arabia, both between its outlying provinces and its urban core and within the cities themselves, are growing wider.
Although the kingdom is responding to the dissatisfaction that these opportunity gaps are creating, its current actions will not be enough to offset the strain. This will open the door for more pushback by Saudi citizens on development projects.
To alleviate popular concerns, the kingdom will look at changing the current elite-controlled development model, which could fundamentally alter its investment strategies and the way it develops and conducts business.
Saudi Arabia's economic transformation has made big promises to its people. But for many Saudis, the dream of a middle-class lifestyle is becoming increasingly elusive. As their disappointments add up, the social contract between the Saudi rulers and citizens becomes more frayed. A growing popular dissatisfaction is driving Saudi policymakers to look for ways to increase opportunities for their people. But the process of doing so risks politicizing the kingdom's development strategies and fundamentally changing the way Saudi Arabia does business...
The Trump administration claims progress in signing up European allies in the fight against Beijing.
Having failed to pressure its allies to ban Huawei outright from next-generation telecommunications networks, Washington appears to be trying a softer approach in its campaign to prevent the Chinese electronics firm from dominating the market for 5G equipment.
The strategy, on display in a Wednesday conference call conducted by the U.S. diplomat leading Washington’s anti-Huawei campaign, Robert Strayer, featured something the allies in question, including Germany and France, are not accustomed to getting from the Trump administration: praise.
“At this point we’re looking for governments to adopt security standards like we’re seeing in Germany,” Strayer told the mostly European reporters on the call.
Germany has emerged as a central battleground in Washington’s campaign to curtail Huawei’s spread. But Washington’s threat to scale back U.S. intelligence sharing with Berlin if Huawei is allowed to build German networks has so far been met with indifference.
Strayer was referring to telecommunications regulations German officials announced last month that committed Berlin to working only with “trustworthy suppliers” but failed to ban Huawei outright. U.S. officials had viewed the regulations as a snub, but Strayer appeared to be more conciliatory, referring to “risk mitigation” and fears regarding “rule of law...”
While a jihadist attack on Easter was unsurprising, the site of the attack, Sri Lanka, was.
The bombings show the Islamic State movement continues to pose a threat through its franchise groups and grassroots terrorists, but are not a useful gauge of its core organization.
The jihadist threat in Sri Lanka will no longer be ignored, and future would-be attackers will face a far less permissive environment.
The attacks against three churches and four hotels in Sri Lanka on April 21, Easter Sunday, rocked the island nation, reverberating around the globe. While the attack location — Sri Lanka — was a surprise, a holiday attack of some kind had been anticipated. In fact, Stratfor's Threat Lens team had warned clients of the elevated threat of attacks against houses of worship over Passover and Easter.
The high death toll in the Sri Lanka bombings generated much media attention, and some reports presented the attacks either as unprecedented, or as a gauge of the Islamic State's status. But neither of those assertions were accurate...
MISC
VIDEO https://video.foxnews.com/v/6003276061001/?playlist_id=5736530682001#sp=show-clips
DARPA plans to demonstrate a nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) system that can be assembled on orbit to expand U.S. operating presence in cislunar space, according to the Pentagon advanced research agency’s fiscal 2020 budget request.
The agency is seeking $10 million in 2020 to begin a new program, Reactor On A Rocket (ROAR), to develop a high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) propulsion system. “The program will initially develop the use of additive manufacturing approaches to print NTP fuel elements,” DARPA’s budget document says.
“In addition, the program will investigate on-orbit assembly techniques (AM) to safely assemble the individual core element subassemblies into a full demonstration system configuration, and will perform a technology demonstration,” the document says.
In a nuclear thermal rocket, propellant such as liquid hydrogen is heated to high temperature in a nuclear reactor then expanded through a rocket nozzle to produce thrust. Propulsive efficiency, or specific impulse, can be twice that of a chemical rocket.
A disposable unmanned cargo glider designed to enable aircraft to resupply fast-moving ground forces over greater distances has entered a new phase of flight testing under contracts from DARPA and the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory.
U.S. startup Logistics Gliders says it has completed 12 prototype flight tests, six for each customer, with testing still ongoing under follow-on contracts with both. Of the prototypes flown so far, six have been deployed as sling loads under a helicopter and six have been dropped from a cargo aircraft.
Compared with the standard air-dropped parachute Container Delivery System (CDS) used to resupply ground forces, the glider would allow aircraft to deliver cargo from greater standoff range. This would increase protection from air defenses and reduce the flying time required to reach the release point.
CDS is most cost-effective when large numbers of containers can be air-dropped at a single point of need. If several locations need to be resupplied, then it will be less expensive to release multiple gliders from one point to then fly independently to the different sites, says Marti Sarigul-Klijn, principal investigator for Dixon, California-based Logistics Gliders.
The LG-2K glider developed under the DARPA-funded Revolutionary Airlift Innovation project is 12.7 ft. long with a 23.2-ft. wingspan. Payload capacity is 1,800 lb. and cargo volume about 42 ft³. Empty weight of the prototype is 400 lb. An optional landing parachute adds 45 lb. and reduces cargo volume to 36 ft³...
SpaceX's controversial plan to fly part of its initial 4,425-satellite Starlink broadband constellation at half the altitude approved in its original license has been approved by the FCC. The plan has drawn wide criticism from satellite operators concerned about interference and other issues.
The FCC ruling, issued April 26, will allow SpaceX to proceed with launch of an undisclosed number of Starlink satellites as early as next month.
Its amended license application requested permission to access U.S. markets with as many as 1,584 satellites orbiting 342 mi. (550 km) above Earth—half the altitude approved in its original license to fly 4,425 satellites in 83 orbital planes at five altitudes in the 690-823-mi. range.
SpaceX also asked to use Ku-band frequencies for up to 75 of those lower-flying satellites to communicate with ground-based gateways. Its original license, granted in March 2018, was to use Ka-band spectrum for gateway communications and Ku for user links.
The modification, SpaceX noted in its Nov. 8 request to the FCC, reflects a “rigorous, integrated and iterative process that has unlocked a constellation design that will accelerate the deployment of its satellites and services while reducing the potential for orbital debris through operation of part of the constellation at a lower altitude...”
Mike Ford is a retired Infantry Officer who writes on Military, Foreign Affairs and occasionally dabbles in Political and Economic matters.
I was a very dismal day in October, 2003, I received a call from his wife, telling me he had passed in the night. I drove up the next day, and with five other friends, escorted him to his final resting place.
