4 June 2011 — Stop NATO
- “Big Players In NATO”: Canada Plans International Bases
- First German Ground Combat Since World War II: Four Soldiers Killed, 12 Injured In Afghanistan Recently
- Oklahoma: National Guard Units Headed To Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait And Horn Of Africa
- Romania: 24 U.S. F-16s Could Be Added To 24 Interceptor Missiles
- Romania: U.S. Marines Integrate Armed Forces Of 12 Black Sea, Balkans And Caucasus Nations
- Romania: U.S. Marines Train Macedonian Troops For Afghan War
- Operations In Northern Regions: U.S. Leads NATO War Games In Iceland
- U.S. Drone Strike Kills Seven In Pakistan
“Big Players In NATO”: Canada Plans International Bases
www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/06/02/pol-military-bases.html#socialcomments
CBC News
June 2, 2011
Canada considering international bases: MacKay
By Laura Payton
-”The focus of the planning, let’s be clear, is our capability for expeditionary participation in international missions…We are big players in NATO. We’re a country that has become a go-to nation in response to situations like what we’re seeing in Libya…”
-[T]he Canadian Forces is negotiating to set up bases under a program known as the Operational Support Hubs Network. They’ve reportedly already completed negotiations with Germany and Jamaica, and are in talks with Kuwait, Senegal, Kenya or Tanzania, Singapore and South Korea.
Canada is looking at setting up bases around the world to better position the military to participate in international missions, Defence Minister Peter MacKay confirmed Thursday.
The Canadian Forces does “prudent planning,” MacKay told reporters, taking into account the ability to participate in international missions.
There are no plans to set up permanent bases around the world, but the planning happens to ensure Canada has options in case the military needs to deploy from another country, a government source said.
“As we look out into the future what we obviously try to do is anticipate where and when we will be needed, but it’s difficult with any certainty to make those plans, without talking to other countries, without doing internal examinations,” Mackay said.
“The focus of the planning, let’s be clear, is our capability for expeditionary participation in international missions…We are big players in NATO. We’re a country that has become a go-to nation in response to situations like what we’re seeing in Libya, what we saw in Haiti…
“We are constantly working within that paradigm of countries, to see where we can bring that niche capability to bear. It’s part of planning and preparation, in conjunction with our equipment needs.”
A report in Montreal newspaper Le Devoir said the Canadian Forces is negotiating to set up bases under a program known as the Operational Support Hubs Network. They’ve reportedly already completed negotiations with Germany and Jamaica, and are in talks with Kuwait, Senegal, Kenya or Tanzania, Singapore and South Korea.
Canada did have a base in the United Arab Emirates, known as Camp Mirage, to ease access to Afghanistan, but was kicked out after a dispute over commercial landing rights in Canada.
The Canadian Forces had to scramble to set up an alternative base in Cyprus. They also use a base in Germany for staging.
MacKay also said Thursday he believes that Canada will receive the first of its new F-35 fighter jets as scheduled in 2016, despite reports that manufacturer Lockheed Martin is saying it can’t meet this country’s delivery date. “That’s the date we’re banking on, that’s the information we’ve been given by the company,” he said.
There’s also controversy over the cost of the stealth fighters, which the government pegs at $9 billion. But others say the cost could exceed $30 billion.
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Agence France-Presse
June 3, 2011
Canada’s military set to increase footprint abroad
OTTAWA: Canada is looking to expand its military reach by setting up staging points in Germany, Jamaica and elsewhere to support humanitarian and combat missions abroad, officials and media said Friday.
Jay Paxton, spokesman for Defense Minister Peter MacKay, told AFP: “Military planners are pursuing logistical agreements to ensure Canada is ready to respond quickly to future humanitarian disasters and international crises.”
The warehouses of military equipment and other facilities would support “high-tempo expeditionary operations in places such as Afghanistan, the Middle East, Haiti, Africa and most recently in protecting civilian life in Libya.”
However, he added, “this government and the Canadian Forces have no intention of creating permanent large bases in overseas locations.”
According to Canadian media, Ottawa has reached agreements to open new bases in Germany and Jamaica, and is negotiating with Kuwait for another in that country.
As well, the Canadian Forces are reportedly eyeing a presence in Senegal, South Korea, Kenya and Singapore.
Canada currently uses several of its allies’ bases around the world to support its military deployments, including a US base in Germany and a British base in Cyprus as a place to decompress after serving on the front line in Afghanistan and before returning home.
In October, Canada was forced to close a top-secret military base in Dubai that was part of a key supply route to Afghanistan after refusing to grant the UAE’s two national carriers, Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways, more landing rights.
During the Cold War, Canada also maintained two bases in Germany but closed them in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Canada currently has troops supporting UN missions in Haiti, Sierra Leone, Darfur and southern Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sinai peninsula, Cyprus and Kosovo.
Canadian fighter jets are also taking part in the NATO mission in Libya, and Ottawa plans to send 950 military trainers to Afghanistan to coach Afghans after its 2,800 combat troops withdraw from the war-torn country in July.
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First German Ground Combat Since World War II: Four Soldiers Killed, 12 Injured In Afghanistan Recently
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
June 3, 2011
German soldiers’ deaths spark calls for Afghan military review
Berlin: The deaths of four German soldiers in Afghanistan over the last nine days triggered Friday calls for a new debate about Berlin’s strategy in the Afghan conflict.
While Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces Hellmut Koenigshaus criticized the provision of equipment provided to German troops, both the nation’s armed forces association and the Green Party demanded a review of Berlin’s Afghan strategy.
In particular, Koenigshaus criticized Berlin over the long delays in procuring specially protected vehicles to assist in the clearing of explosive devices.
Along with the four soldiers killed, 12 troops have been injured in a series of attacks on German military operations in Afghanistan over the last nine days.
‘The Taliban are currently launching attacks at a frightening pace,’ said armed forces association chief Ulrich Kirsch. ‘It is time that the federal government and parliament responded.’
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In the meantime, Germany’s small Left Party once again demanded the immediate withdrawal of German troops from Afghanistan.
But speaking during a visit to New Zealand, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle warned that changing the present policy would not prevent attacks.
‘We must continue to do everything to help the Afghans to take responsibility in their country of their country as soon as possible,’ said Westerwelle.
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Oklahoma: National Guard Units Headed To Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait And Horn Of Africa
Tulsa Beacon
June 2, 2011
Five Guard units headed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Horn of Africa
-To date, more than 10,000 soldiers and airmen have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.
Five Oklahoma Army National Guard units were notified in May they should begin preparing for deployment to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.
The “notification of sourcing” (NOS) delivered to Oklahoma Guard officials here from National Guard Bureau in Washington affects some 448 Soldiers.
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In the meantime, some 3,200 Soldiers from Oklahoma’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) continue to prepare to deploy to eastern Afghanistan later this spring. The 45th IBCT is currently training for its mission at Fort Polk, La., and Camp Shelby, Miss., and received its NOS in December 2009.
Most of the troops notified this week are slated to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 120th Engineer Battalion’s Headquarters Company and Company A, based in Okmulgee and Okemah respectively, may mobilize sometime next summer. The decision impacts 175 engineers from those two towns.
But they aren’t the only engineer units scheduled for possible deployment. The 1220th Engineer Company (horizontal construction) based in Muskogee and consisting of 164 Soldiers, may also deploy to Afghanistan in the spring of 2013.
Additionally, some 39 Soldiers from the 1120th Engineer Team from Muskogee, that specializes in asphalt paving, was directed to begin preparations for deployment to Kuwait in early 2013.
Aside from the engineers, 62 soldiers from Detachment 1, Company C, 2-148 Aviation in Lexington were informed they may deploy in late 2012 in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq.
Additionally, eight soldiers from Oklahoma City’s Detachment 46 Operational Support Airlift were advised they may be heading to the Horn of Africa in the summer of 2012.
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To date, more than 10,000 soldiers and airmen have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan since September 11, 2001.
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Romania: 24 U.S. F-16s Could Be Added To 24 Interceptor Missiles
Agence France-Presse
June 2, 2011
US, Romania in ‘complicated’ F-16 talks: ambassador
BUCHAREST: The United States and Romania are in “very complicated” negotiations about the purchase of second-hand F-16 combat aircraft due to financing issues, the US ambassador to Romania said Thursday.
“This is a very complicated negotiation because at some point it requires a financial agreement”, ambassador Mark Gitenstein told a press conference.
“We are just not far enough to finalize that” at this stage, he added.
Romania announced in March 2010 it would purchase 24 F-16 aircraft currently used by the US military for 1.3 billion dollars (1.1 billion euros), in order to replace its ageing, Soviet-made MiG Lancer jets.
The announcement triggered criticism from European groups Eurofighter and Saab, which said authorities should have issued a call for tenders.
Then in June 2010, as Romania battled one of the worst recessions in Europe, then finance minister Sebastian Vladescu said the purchase represented one percent of GDP (gross domestic product) and “such an expense was downright impossible” at the moment.
Romania and the United States are close allies and agreed in May to deploy 24 missile interceptors on a military airbase in southern Romania in 2015 as part of the new US defense shield.
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Romania: U.S. Marines Integrate Armed Forces Of 12 Black Sea, Balkans And Caucasus Nations
www.marines.mil/unit/marforeur/Pages/ACE.aspx
U.S. Marine Corps
June 3, 2011
Marines ACE Black Sea Airspace
By Cpl. Tatum Vayavananda, Black Sea Rotational Force
MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU, Romania: Black Sea Rotational Force 11’s mission to promote stability, engage in military-to-military training, and build partnerships with allied nations is no small operation, especially with 12 Eastern Europeans nations in the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucasus regions participating in the deployment.
But the unit’s Air Combat Element, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 686, the combination of Marine reservists from VMGR-452, Newburgh, N.Y., and VMGR- 234, Fort Worth, Texas, armed with KC-130T Hercules aircraft, play a huge role to support the missions at hand by transporting, traveling and flying around the region.
“We’re a force multiplier, handling all the logistics for all the operations that are going to neighboring countries,” said Staff Sgt. Matt D. Racioppo, loadmaster, BSRF-11.
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In addition to the primary logistics role, the ACE has been performing air-delivery missions with Romanians and Bulgarians, flying day and night personnel air drops, and several military-to-military events with foreign nation’s air forces. Marines of the air and maintenance crews recently travelled to teach several classes on air frames, avionics work, safety tool control, aviation safety and quality assurance to Romanian Air Force personnel in Bucharest.
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To date, the ACE has 189 hours of flight time, spanning 50,875 miles to 107 stops, and transported 358,195 pounds of cargo and 596 personnel, including 160 Macedonian soldiers currently receiving counterinsurgency training at Babadag Training Area, Romania.
With the numerous foreign military engagements, Non-Commissioned Officer Academies, foreign militaries flying in and out of Mihail Kogalniceanu Airfield, and the extensive logistics support to operations in all the participating nations, BSRF would be nearly impossible without an ACE detachment.
“If you look at the [operations], all of them involve arrows out of MK and coming back. Without an ACE, I don’t see how that would be possible,” said Lt. Col. Douglas D. Stumpf, ACE detachment commander, BSRF-11.
“There is much more activity; last year we did a few air drops with Romanians and [this year] we are bringing Bulgarians into the fray,” added the Aledo, Texas native.
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Romania: U.S. Marines Train Macedonian Troops For Afghan War
www.marines.mil/unit/marforeur/Pages/macedonia.aspx
U.S. Marine Corps
June 3, 2011
Macedonian “Scorpions” Prepare for Afghanistan with Help of Black Sea Marines
By Cpl. Tatum Vayavananda, Black Sea Rotational Force
BABADAG TRAINING AREA, Romania: With AK-47 assault rifles locked-and-loaded, a line of Macedonian troops stand in front of their targets at a combat marksmanship range on BTA. On the command to shoot, dust from the ground erupts from behind their targets and fills the air from their Kalashnikovs’ rounds engaging their “enemies.”
The Macedonian 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, nicknamed the “Scorpions,” travelled from their home country to BTA to train with U.S. Marines of Black Sea Rotational Force 11 in counterinsurgency operations. The troops shot Table 3 of the Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program.
The training they will receive in BTA is part of their mobilization for their upcoming time in Afghanistan.
“We are about to be deployed,” said Macedonian Capt. Georgie Fistik, executive officer, 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade, “so this kind of shooting is good for us, because we will be in urban areas [in Afghanistan].”
“We have similar training but we don’t have combat marksmanship like this,” said Fistik…
Macedonia is an important ally to the U.S. and NATO, currently contributing 165 active-duty troops for missions in Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force.
“A lot of these guys are combat veterans already,” said Lance Cpl. James Venable, assistant marksmanship instructor and combat engineer, BSRF-11…
The Marines conducted a Table 3 combat range for the Macedonians, teaching them closed-quartered shooting techniques such as shooting-on-the-move; pivoting; weapons safety awareness; and how to shoot “hammered-pairs,” two shots in rapid succession; “controlled-pairs,” two well-aimed shots; and “failure-to-stop drills,” a technique used to neutralize a threat and prevent a target from retaliation.
“This kind of shooting is the most realistic and most applicable to [operations in Afghanistan],” said Lance Cpl. Nathan Gibson, assault man and primary marksmanship instructor, BSRF-11.
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The Macedonian soldiers’ training over the next week will include non-lethal weapons employment, convoy operations, basic patrolling, entry-control checkpoints, and Military Operations in Urban Areas (MOUT).
Black Sea Rotational Force 11 is a rotational deployment of Marines to the Black Sea, Balkan and Caucasus regions to work with foreign nations and help build their military training capacity, promote stability throughout the region, and build enduring partnerships with 13 nations throughout Eastern Europe.
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Operations In Northern Regions: U.S. Leads NATO War Games In Iceland
www.icenews.is/index.php/2011/06/03/international-military-exercises-start-today-in-iceland/
IceNews
June 3, 2011
International military exercises start today in Iceland
A series of military exercises under the name North Viking 2011 began in Iceland today and will continue until next Friday.
The military exercises are being held under Iceland’s defence co-operation convention with the USA which was signed in 2006 upon the closure of the American air base at Keflavik.
Military teams from the USA, Denmark, Italy and Norway are taking part in the war games. There are some 450 people, 16 fighter jets, three naval patrol vessels, as well as other equipment. Among the exercises will be quick personnel transfers to and from land with emphasis on air space protection. There will also be exercises at sea and their co-ordination with operations in the air; all with a view to the specific requirements and increasing importance of operations in northern regions.
At the same time as taking part in North Viking 2011, the international visitors will also take care of NATO air space patrols over Iceland in accordance with the NATO and Icelandic government agreement from 2007. It will be the Norwegian crew taking charge of the patrols this time, DV reports.
The predicted cost of North Viking 2011 is around ISK 36 million (EUR 216,000) — all of which goes to private sector servicing companies in Iceland.
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U.S. Drone Strike Kills Seven In Pakistan
news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-06/04/c_13910509.htm
Xinhua News Agency
June 4, 2011
7 killed in U.S. drone strike in northwest Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: At least seven people were killed in a U.S. drone strike launched late Friday night in Pakistan’s northwest tribal area of South Waziristan, reported local Urdu TV channel Express.
According to the report, the U.S. drones fired three missiles at a suspected militants’ hideout in the Wana area of South Waziristan, one of the strongholds of militants along the Pakistan- Afghanistan border area.
Friday night’s strike by U.S. drones is the 33rd of its kind in Pakistan since 2011. So far a total of 241 people…have reportedly been killed in such strikes since this year.
The New Dark Age 
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