19 November 2011 — Stop NATO
- Pentagon ‘To Spread Out Through All Of Asia’ Openly Now
- U.S., Allies To Hold Largest Amphibious Assault Exercise In Ten Years
- NATO As ‘Guarantor Of Energy Security’ In Europe, Black Sea
- NATO Training Mission-Iraq Briefs Allied Military Attachés In Baghdad
- U.S. Submarine Force’s No. 2 Inspects NATO Mediterranean Operations
- Pentagon Chief Panetta: NATO Must Join Us In Mideast, Asia-Pacific, Western Hemisphere
- Depression Aside: U.S., Canadian Defense Chiefs Push Joint Strike Fighter
- NATO’s North American War Ministers Tout Joint Global Military Vision
- U.S. Troops Trained For Action Against Kosovo Serbs
- Russia Reiterates Call For Restraint On Syria
- U.S. Navy Secretary Visits Georgian Defense Ministry, Training Center
- NATO Tanker Bombed In Northwest Pakistan
- West Builds Nordic-Baltic, Georgia-Ukraine Front Against Russia
- Nordic Battle Group, Baltic-Nordic ‘Mini-NATO’ Progress
- Sierra Leone: U.S. Holds Combat Training Ahead Of Somali Deployment
Pentagon ‘To Spread Out Through All Of Asia’ Openly Now
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66147
U.S. Department of Defense
November 18, 2011
Pacific Engagement Fosters Better Understanding
By Ian Graham
Defense Media Activity
-Next year, rotations of 200 to 250 Marines will begin deploying to Australia’s Northern Territory. Over the next several years, the number of Marines deployed there will grow to 2,500.
‘It’s a rotational concept in which we will just not focus on the northeast Asia portion,’ Keltz said, ‘but [also] start to spread out through all of Asia as we have been doing quietly, but a little bit more openly now.’
WASHINGTON: Senior U.S. military leaders met recently with their counterparts from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss how military-to-military agreements and increased security cooperation can foster better relationships and bolster commerce and trade.
The leaders gathered Oct. 17-20 in Honolulu to attend the 14th annual Chiefs of Defense Conference. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael A. Keltz, U.S. Pacific Command’s director of strategic planning and policy, discussed the conference at a Nov. 16 DoDLive Bloggers Roundtable.
With operations in Afghanistan drawing down and troops leaving Iraq this year, Keltz said, the U.S. military is strengthening its relationships in the Asia-Pacific region, and Pacom is repositioning its forces.
A major part of that mission, Keltz said, is the movement of U.S. Marines to Australia for training. Next year, rotations of 200 to 250 Marines will begin deploying to Australia’s Northern Territory. Over the next several years, the number of Marines deployed there will grow to 2,500.
Moving troops to Australia, the general said, demonstrates America’s commitment to the Asia-Pacific region.
Until now, Northeast Asia – primarily Korea and Japan – have been U.S. focal points in the region, he added.
‘It’s a rotational concept in which we will just not focus on the northeast Asia portion,’ Keltz said, ‘but [also] start to spread out through all of Asia as we have been doing quietly, but a little bit more openly now.
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Pacom has special capabilities thanks to its area of responsibility, Keltz said. It covers a wide region and requires land, air and sea forces to carry out its mission. New agreements to have a Navy presence in Singapore and the new Marine station in Australia increase its versatility, he added.
‘We do have … quite frankly, the luxury of being able to react very quickly being able to move forces internally within the Pacom area of responsibility,’ Keltz said. ‘Being able to have Marines in the southeastern Asia area…gives us incredible flexibility.’
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Military-to-military, diplomatic and economic engagement between the United States and Asia-Pacific nations is important, Keltz said, ‘so that we can understand each other better, which decreases the potential for a misunderstanding or a miscalculation.’
Such an approach, ‘just reinforces how important mil-to-mil engagements are,’ he added.
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U.S., Allies To Hold Largest Amphibious Assault Exercise In Ten Years
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=63908
U.S. Navy
November 18, 2011
Planning Continues for Largest Amphibious Assault Exercise in 10 Years
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Phil Beaufort, U.S. Fleet Forces Command Public Affairs
-Bold Alligator 2012…will be largest multinational naval amphibious exercise conducted in the past 10 years. It will focus on the planning and execution of a brigade-sized amphibious assault from a seabase in a medium threat environment. The underlying scenario of this exercise is designed to emphasize the Navy/Marine Corps capabilities in undeveloped and immature theaters of operations.
-…’In addition to 20,000 Sailors and Marines participating in the live exercise, we are incorporating a number of synthetic scenarios that will broaden the amount of participation and training opportunities to a much wider audience.
NORFOLK: Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command hosted the second operational planning team conference (OPT) at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek/Fort Story, the week of Nov. 14-18 for Exercise Bold Alligator 2012 (BA-12), scheduled to take place during January and February 2012.
Bold Alligator 2012 represents the Navy and Marine Corps’ revitalization of the fundamentals of amphibious operations, strengthening their traditional role as fighters from the sea.
The focus of BA-12 is based on the common goal of Navy and Marine Corps leadership to revitalize, refine and strengthen core amphibious competencies, which are critical to maritime power projection and are a cost-effective option for a wide range of military operations.
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Bold Alligator 2012, to be conducted under the purview of U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command (MARFORCOM), will be largest multinational naval amphibious exercise conducted in the past 10 years. It will focus on the planning and execution of a brigade-sized amphibious assault from a seabase in a medium threat environment. The underlying scenario of this exercise is designed to emphasize the Navy/Marine Corps capabilities in undeveloped and immature theaters of operations.
Scott said that after ten years of continuous combat operations ashore, the blue-green team is at risk of losing vital amphibious assault corporate knowledge.
‘When we were getting ready to send USS Bataan (LHD 5) over to Libya during Operation Odyssey Dawn, I had the opportunity to meet and speak to a lot of the young Marines who embarked aboard, and I couldn’t find very many of them that had been on a ship before,’ said Scott. ‘It’s the flexibility that the amphibious Navy gives us that we can’t live without. We were on the precipice of losing that corporate knowledge. We have to reinvigorate our tactics, techniques and procedures to align with our current force structure and technical innovations.’
According to Brig. Gen. Chris Owens, Commander, 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, the Marines are also using BA 12 as a proof of concept to plan what the Marine force of tomorrow will look like.
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‘Amphibious forces are kind of like a Swiss Army knife,’ said Owens. ‘We’re able to respond quickly to a variety of situations. Seabasing gives us the ability and the agility to reset quickly after each operation. BA-12 will allow us to explore all these capabilities in a complex but realistic scenario.’
Expected to participate in the exercise are an amphibious task force (led by ESG-2) consisting of 10 amphibious ships and four to six combatants; a Marine expeditionary brigade-sized landing force (2d MEB); a carrier strike group (aircraft carrier, embarked air wing and four combatant ships); mine counter measure forces, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) forces, Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships; coalition force elements from several allies, and other commands in the support of amphibious operations.
…’In addition to 20,000 Sailors and Marines participating in the live exercise, we are incorporating a number of synthetic scenarios that will broaden the amount of participation and training opportunities to a much wider audience.
‘It’s important to recognize that while our forces are fairly stressed after 10 years of continuous operations in the Middle East, we recognize that future operations are most likely to take place at sea. If we don’t maintain and improve our amphibious capability, we are severely limiting the operational options we can offer the country. This really is the culmination of planning that began in 2007. The commandant of the Marine Corps recognized the need to get Marines back to sea and rebuild our amphibious capability, so this has been a long time coming,’ said Owens.
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NATO As ‘Guarantor Of Energy Security’ In Europe, Black Sea
http://milaz.info/en/news.php?id=6787
MilAz.info
November 17, 2011
NATO as guarantor of Energy Security of Europe and Black Sea region
-’The ability of NATO’s involvement in the energy security of Europe and the United States in the region was announced by Senator Lugar in 2006,’ said the head of the Center for National and International Studies, Leila Aliyeva.
Subsequently, the idea has been reflected and developed in several official documents, including the last three NATO summits. The problem crystalised after the gas crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
‘Energy security in the Black Sea Region: National and regional approaches,’ was the theme of an international meeting in the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv. The participants discussed the role of NATO in energy security in Europe and, in particular, in the Black Sea region.
The event was organized by the Centre for Black Sea Security Studies (Sofia) and the Centre for National and International Studies (Baku) with financial support from the NATO Department of Science.
In particular, they touched on the military and political security components and the possible assistance of NATO in their provision.
The workshop brought together experts and government representatives from 13 countries – NATO members and partners.
‘The ability of NATO’s involvement in the energy security of Europe and the United States in the region was announced by Senator Lugar in 2006,’ said the head of the Center for National and International Studies, Leila Aliyeva.
Subsequently, the idea has been reflected and developed in several official documents, including the last three NATO summits. The problem crystalised after the gas crisis between Russia and Ukraine.
…The seminar in Plovdiv is an attempt to study the specific possible role of NATO in energy security and the definition of its scope. Thus, the participants discussed the understanding of energy security-producing countries, transit countries and consumers of oil and gas.
It was noted that NATO needs to start spreading a strategic approach to energy security and EU new programs can serve as a basis for dialogue with the countries – partners. Also, they highlighted the increasing role of the gas market of Southern and Eastern Europe, as well as the importance of diversification of energy security.
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In her presentation, Leila Aliyeva stressed Azerbaijan’s role in the regional and international energy security, including the Black Sea region, Europe and the USA. She discussed the relationship of energy security with the general security of Azerbaijan and the Karabakh conflict.
Referring to the political implications of energy security, it was proposed to include political risks, as well as the influence of oil revenues…
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NATO Training Mission-Iraq Briefs Allied Military Attachés In Baghdad
http://www.aco.nato.int/nato-training-missioniraq-briefs-the-military-attaches-to-iraq-.aspx
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
November 18, 2011
NATO Training Mission-Iraq Briefs the Military Attachés to Iraq
Baghdad, Iraq: The Military Attachés to Iraq from 8 Nations (France, Italy, Poland, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, UK, USA) received a briefing from the NATO Training Mission-Iraq (NTM-I) Chief of Staff, Col. Michael Russell, on Thursday, Nov. 17, at the Headquarters of the NATO mission.
This event was organized to acquaint the Defense Attaché Association of Iraq with the nature of the NTM-I mission, its achievements and its current activities in support of the Iraqi Security Forces.
During the meeting, Col. Russell briefed the guests about the important role and achievements of NTM-I in training, advising and mentoring the Iraqi Security Forces. He also described the contribution of NATO nations to NTM-I projects.
At the end of the meeting the Defense Attaché of Italy, Col. Giovanni Marchese, on behalf of the Association, presented to Col. Russell the flag of the organization as a sign of appreciation for the hospitality enjoyed.
The NATO Training Mission in Iraq (NTM-I) was established in 2004…The aim of NTM-I is to assist in the development of Iraqi security forces training structures and institutions…
NTM-I is…a distinct training mission, under the political control of NATO’s North Atlantic Council. Its operational emphasis is on training and mentoring. The activities of the mission are coordinated with Iraqi authorities and the Office for Security and Cooperation-Iraq (OSC-I) Chief, who is also dual-hatted as the Commander of NTM-I. NATO has an enduring commitment to Iraq.
NTM-I advises and supports the Defence University for Military Studies, National Defence College, War College, and the Defence Language Institute with the other institutions in Baghdad. Other cooperation projects for NATO in Iraq are out-of-country training courses for Iraqi nationals at NATO schools as well as the Iraqi Police (Iraqi Federal Police and Oil Police) training led by Italian Carabinieri.
Currently, NTM-I is a small tactical force of NATO/PfP personnel, representing 12 member nations (as of November 2011): Albania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Italy, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Turkey, Ukraine (Partnership for Peace), UK, USA.
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U.S. Submarine Force’s No. 2 Inspects NATO Mediterranean Operations
http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=63903
U.S. Navy
November 18, 2011
Vice Commander, Submarine Force, Visits 6th Fleet Headquarters
By Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
NAPLES, Italy: Vice Commander, Submarine Force, visited senior leadership at the U.S. 6th Fleet headquarters on the Naval Support Activity in Naples, Italy, Nov. 16-18.
During the visit, Rear Adm. Robert J. had multiple office calls with senior leadership, was briefed on current operations and toured the U.S. 6th Fleet Maritime Operations Center.
Kamensky met with Vice Adm. Frank C. Pandolfe, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet; and discussed strategic planning within the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
‘This was my first visit to the European theater; most of my career has been spent in the U.S. or in the western theater,’ said Kamensky. ‘It was great to be able to see how the U.S., NATO and our allies conduct operations in the region.’
U.S. 6th Fleet headquarters is located in Naples, Italy, and conducts a full range or maritime security operations and theater security cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency and other parties in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa.
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Pentagon Chief Panetta: NATO Must Join Us In Mideast, Asia-Pacific, Western Hemisphere
Postmedia News
November 18, 2011
U.S. expects NATO allies to step up: Defense Secretary Panetta
By Lee Berthiaume
-Panetta [said] that the U.S. has no intention of giving up its status as the world’s top military power, but he said a new era has arrived.
‘The reality is that the United States military alone cannot be all things to all nations,’ he said.
-’I refuse to believe we have to choose between fiscal responsibility and national security. Instead we must commit to ensuring that NATO addresses key shortfalls.
‘The alliance needs to develop new capabilities to keep pace with emerging threats, even in an era of fiscal austerity.’
HALIFAX: U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta praised Canada’s contributions in Afghanistan and Libya in a speech here Friday, even as he put NATO allies on notice that they will be expected to step up as the U.S. military wrestles with major budget cuts.
‘That includes encouraging Canada and our European allies to join us in meeting common challenges, whether it’s in Asia-Pacific or in the Middle East, or throughout the Western Hemisphere,’ Panetta said. ‘And enable them to do so through NATO when appropriate.’
Panetta cited Canada as an example for NATO members to emulate, even as he highlighted some of the shifts that are already quietly taking place within the Canadian military, including an increased presence in and focus on the western hemisphere.
However, Panetta also exposed very real challenges Canada will face in a world where the U.S. can’t be counted upon to take up the slack when other NATO allies are unwilling to do their fair share.
Panetta delivered his comments at the start of a major three-day international security conference that has brought to Halifax about 300 military and security officials from 39 countries, many of which are facing similar financial issues as the U.S.
With an annual Defense Department budget of nearly $700 billion, the U.S. has stood as the unquestioned global military power for decades. Canada, by comparison, spends about $22 billion.
But as Washington struggles with a $1.2-trillion federal deficit, the U.S. military has been asked to cut spending by $450 billion over 10 years, with perhaps more slashing to come.
‘As we in the United States confront the fiscal realities of limited resources,’ he said, ‘we believe that we have the opportunity to establish a force for the future that, while smaller, is agile, flexible, deployable and technologically equipped to confront the threats of the future.’
Panetta added that the U.S. has no intention of giving up its status as the world’s top military power, but he said a new era has arrived.
‘The reality is that the United States military alone cannot be all things to all nations,’ he said.
‘We will sharpen the application of our resources. Better deploy our forces in the world. And share our burdens more and more effectively with our partners. And frankly, all our allies need to do the same.’
In that respect, Panetta went out of his way to hold Canada up as an example for others.
‘We all owe a deep debt of gratitude to the more than 150 fallen Canadian heroes from the Afghanistan campaign,’ he said. ‘Brave men and women who have paid the ultimate price and whose names are etched in black granite at Kandahar airfield. Alongside the United States, Canada’s contribution to NATO’s Libya operations also proved critical to our success.’
Panetta also said Canada and the U.S. have been working closely to cement ties with countries in the hemisphere and the Asia-Pacific region, which he said is now a priority for his government.
‘Working with Canada, we are encouraging new partnerships,’ he said. ‘In the Pacific, but also in the Western Hemisphere. Recognizing that regional challenges in our hemisphere…requires stronger regional institutions that can deliver regional solutions.’
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Panetta said members must be willing to step forward and do more, including contributing more money to acquire assets despite severe financial restrictions.
‘These challenging economic times cannot be an excuse for walking away from our security responsibilities,’ Panetta said. ‘I refuse to believe we have to choose between fiscal responsibility and national security. Instead we must commit to ensuring that NATO addresses key shortfalls.
‘The alliance needs to develop new capabilities to keep pace with emerging threats, even in an era of fiscal austerity.’
Anne-Marie Slaughter, a former U.S. State Department director of policy planning, said the U.S. will still be ready to assist allies when needed.
However, it will no longer be at the forefront of trying to solve the world’s problems, but instead will be relying on other countries to take the lead, as the U.K., France, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates did in Libya.
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University of Ottawa defence expert Philippe Lagasse said Canada is among a small number of NATO allies which have been willing to loosen the restrictions placed on the use of their forces while playing a respectable role in Libya and Afghanistan relative to their overall strength and capabilities.
‘If the U.S. wants more allies to follow Canada’s lead, praising the Canadian effort shows that Washington takes note of such efforts,’ he said.
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Depression Aside: U.S., Canadian Defense Chiefs Push Joint Strike Fighter
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66154
U.S. Department of Defense
November 18, 2011
U.S., Canadian Defense Leaders Call F-35 Crucial
By John D. Banusiewicz
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia: Calling it crucial to the defense of North America, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Canadian Defense Minister Peter G. MacKay today emphasized that both nations are committed to developing the F-35 joint strike fighter.
At a news conference here in conjunction with the Halifax International Security Forum, the defense leaders said budget pressures should not stand in the way of fielding the next-generation fighter jet.
Panetta said he’s seen media reports that the United States is not committed to the joint strike fighter.
‘Let me make very clear that the United States is committed to the development of the F-35, and to a cooperative relationship with the F-35 with our Canadian friends,’ he said. ‘The F-35 is going to be an essential fighter that will help in [the North American Aerospace Defense Command] and will be the future in helping us with security challenges that we face.’
Despite looming budget cuts, Panetta said, the F-35’s capabilities are essential.
‘I feel very confident that we’ll get funding for the F-35 program,’ he said. ‘This is the fighter plane for the future, and in some ways, we really have no alternative. This is the plane that is going to be able to provide the technology [and] the capabilities for the future.
‘We need to have this [aircraft],’ Panetta continued. ‘It’s true for us. It’s true for our partners – not only Canadians, but others – who are going to work with us and participate with us in the development of the F-35.’
Making budget decisions involves looking for savings, the secretary said, citing areas such as procurement reform.
‘But we also have to look at areas where we continue to invest in the future, and the F-35 is one of those areas,’ he added.
MacKay said the ‘eye-watering technology aboard the F-35’ is why Canada has chosen to participate in the program.
‘It’s the ability to dominate and own the airspace over continental North America,’ he said. ‘There is no fifth-generation aircraft other than the F-35 available to Canada and the United States, so ***all of the hypothetical discussions – and quite negative discussions, quite frankly – about this program are really just clatter and noise***.
‘This program is going ahead,’ he continued. ‘Clearly, budgetary pressures are going to lead to speculation. We are dealing with our budgets, as all countries are dealing with this budget, but we are not wavering on our commitment to this program.’
Every defense department has certain pillars, MacKay said.
‘This is one of those pillars: having the ability to ***protect your sovereignty***. And there is a direct link – a direct link – between our national sovereignty and our ability to protect our airspace,’ he said.
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NATO’s North American War Ministers Tout Joint Global Military Vision
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=66149
U.S. Department of Defense
November 18, 2011
Panetta, MacKay Reaffirm U.S.-Canada Partnership
By John D. Banusiewicz
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia: Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta and Canadian Defense Minister Peter G. MacKay today reaffirmed the ties between their nations in the defense of North America and in multinational endeavors around the world.
In a news conference after meeting here in conjunction with the Halifax International Security Forum, the two leaders noted that the United States and Canada share in a variety of cooperative and international efforts.
Panetta said that while this is his first visit to Canada as defense secretary, he has visited before as a member of Congress, as President Bill Clinton’s chief of staff, and as CIA director.
‘I believe very deeply that this is a special relationship – a very special relationship between our two countries,’ Panetta said…
‘We share a vision…through a very broad alliance structure,’ he continued, ‘both as NATO allies and as advocates for an enduring, multilateral engagement, both here in North America and around the globe.’
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NATO’s summit, scheduled to take place in Chicago in May, was another area of discussion between the two defense leaders, Panetta said.
‘Our efforts there will be to declare an interim capability for NATO’s European territorial missile defense, the next steps on Afghanistan,’ he said, ‘and, obviously, further ways to strengthen the trans-Atlantic alliance that we enjoy.’
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But military cooperation between the United States and Canada isn’t limited to North America, Panetta said.
‘Our troops have stood shoulder to shoulder not only here, but in Afghanistan and elsewhere throughout the world,’ he said. ‘In Libya…’
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The secretary noted that he offered thanks to MacKay when they met two months ago in Washington, and that he wanted to do the same today, for Canada’s contributions in Afghanistan – where 150 Canadian service members have died – and Libya.
‘All of that reflects the fact that we fight together, and we bleed together as one,’ Panetta said.
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U.S. Troops Trained For Action Against Kosovo Serbs
http://www.stripes.com/news/europe/kosovo-disturbances-mimicked-in-training-scenario-1.161166
Stars and Stripes
November 18, 2011
Kosovo disturbances mimicked in training scenario
By Steven Beardsley
HOHENFELS, Germany: The chaos arrived in the early afternoon, hours after negotiations failed.
As soldiers in riot gear approached a makeshift roadblock and the mob that erected it, they were met with taunts and jeers. ‘U.S. go home!’ the crowd began to chant. Then someone hurled a rock.
The riot that ensued was a training simulation – the ‘rocks’ were sandbags, the mob was a group of role-playing Germans, retired soldiers and an active-duty platoon.
Yet it was a mimic of real events in Kosovo, the newly independent Balkan state — and the destination of a National Guard unit that recently trained at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels. This summer, ethnic Serbs erected barriers on roads in the country’s north, in a dispute over border crossings into Serbia, forcing violent confrontations with local police and a tense standoff with NATO peacekeepers.
Officials at JMRC, which regularly prepares U.S. and multinational soldiers for the NATO force known as KFOR, or Kosovo Force, decided to re-create the events as a training tool after a visit to the country last month.
Important tasks during a civil disturbance include holding formation in a line, minding flanks, responding with appropriate force and generally keeping composure at a time when emotions run high, said Lt. Col. Eric McFadden, a training leader at JMRC.
Judging by the action on Thursday, that’s easier said than done.
The Guard unit, a maneuver company from Georgia, arrived with a track vehicle posing as a tank and several Humvees.
The roadblock — an assemblage of plywood planks, stacked wooden pallets and old tires — was easy enough to handle. The tank pushed through, slowly advancing on the mob, which backed away. Soldiers then formed a line the width of the road, their shields held together to form a barrier.
That’s when the rioters emerged from the crowd, a dozen or so civilians played by a platoon with 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, U.S. Army Europe’s opposition force. Harassment was their tactic, 1st Lt. Todd Pitt, the platoon leader, advised his men before the exercise began.
‘Try to steal batons, try to steal shields,’ he said. ‘Don’t go jumping into their lines.’
Platoon members taunted the soldiers. They grabbed at shields while dodging baton swipes, threw sandbags and rolled tires with smoke grenades inside. Someone suddenly hurled a smoking tire into the crowd.
In a pattern that repeated itself several times, the Guard line surged forward with abandon, an apparent effort to push the rioters back. Each time, the 1-4 took advantage of the resulting disorder in the line, gaining clean hits with sandbags and grabbing shields or batons.
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Some soldiers seemed to take things personally. Several times, a soldier dropped his shield and baton to tackle one of the rioters. JMRC observer-controllers, referees in the exercise, broke each scuffle up to resume the scenario.
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They also appeared to improve over the course of the exercise. Soldiers began to move in lock-step, counting out each step forward. They moved to protect their flanks, keeping shields up and preventing individual soldiers from lurching forward. They learned to hold their shields properly, preventing them from being pushed against them and causing injuries.
The rioters were eventually thinned out at the discretion of the observer-controllers, taken out by a range of nonlethal weapons — among them rubber bullets — that KFOR soldiers might actually use, but didn’t use in the exercise. The company eventually reached the boundary line that was its goal.
McFadden said the simulation achieved what trainers wanted, making the company adjust to the situation around them.
‘It’s better to learn the hard lessons here than have to deal with the hard lessons once you deploy,’ he said.
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Russia Reiterates Call For Restraint On Syria
http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20111118185424.shtml
RosBusinessConsulting
November 18, 2011
Moscow reiterates call for restraint on Syria
Moscow: Russia calls on the international community for restraint towards Syria, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said at a press conference after meeting his French counterpart Francois Fillon in Moscow.
‘We are ready to work with the global community and we will do so, while pressing for moderation and caution,’ Putin said, when asked whether Russia would vote for a new U.N. Security Council resolution on Syria.
The situation in the Middle East remains uncertain, Putin went on to say, welcoming the recent declaration by the French government which stated that the country was not ready for military intervention.
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U.S. Navy Secretary Visits Georgian Defense Ministry, Training Center
http://www.mod.gov.ge/index.php?page=77&lang=1&type=&Id=1200
Ministry of Defence of Georgia
November 18, 2011
Secretary of the U.S. Navy Ray Mabus at the Defence Ministry
Secretary of the U.S. Navy Ray Mabus is paying an official two-day visit to Georgia. The Secretary of the U.S. Navy was hosted by the Georgian Defence Minister Bacho Akhalaia today.
At the meeting, the Georgian Defence Minister briefed the American official about the ongoing defence reforms in Georgia. U.S.–Georgian bilateral cooperation in the defence sphere, Georgia’s NATO integration prospects and Georgia’s participation in the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) were the topics of discussion at the meeting. Tomorrow, Secretary of the U.S. Navy Ray Mabus will visit the Krtsanisi National Training Center and attend the military trainings of the Georgian and U.S. military servicemen.
In the framework of the official visit, Secretary of the U.S. Navy Ray Mabus will hold meetings with the President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili and Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Ivane Merabishvili.
Ray Mabus leads America’s Navy and Marine Corps. It is his first official visit to Georgia. Secretary of the U.S. Navy will leave Georgia tomorrow.
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NATO Tanker Bombed In Northwest Pakistan
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/210852.html
Press TV
November 19, 2011
NATO tanker bombed in NW Pakistan
Two people have been injured in a bombing that targeted a NATO fuel tanker in the Khyber agency of northwestern Pakistan’s tribal areas, Press TV reports.
On Friday, a bomb attack carried out by unidentified militants targeted an empty oil tanker that was returning from Afghanistan via the Torkham border crossing town, a Press TV correspondent reported.
The tanker was on the way back from its mission to supply oil to foreign forces in Afghanistan.
The US military and NATO rely heavily on the Pakistani supply route into landlocked Afghanistan, more so now that Taliban attacks are increasing.
Other routes, largely through Russia and the Central Asian states, have proved to be too costly, both politically and economically.
Militants in the tribal areas have carried out numerous attacks in recent months, torching hundreds of NATO vehicles and containers destined for foreign troops in Afghanistan.
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West Builds Nordic-Baltic, Georgia-Ukraine Front Against Russia
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/29887/?SID=88c0b94f3b89377144f90a38188543bf
Defence Professionals
November 18, 2011
Nordic-Baltic region needs to deepen defence cooperation, Lithuanian Defence Minister says
-The results of Lithuania’s chairmanship of the Nordic-Baltic Initiative were also presented in the meeting. According to the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence, Lithuania has set its priorities on support to Georgia and Ukraine.
Minister of National Defence Rasa Jukneviciene attended the Baltic Defence Ministers’ meeting which was held on November 15 and 16 in Orebro (Sweden) and discussed with her counterparts further defence cooperation, energy security, the Nordic-Baltic initiative, etc.
‘We seek closer and more concrete practical cooperation with Nordic countries in the defence sector, so in my opinion the armed forces of our countries need as many joint training events as possible to increase interoperability’, the Minister of National Defence said.
She also stressed that Lithuania maintains a positive view of joint capabilities, such as the EU Nordic Battle Group.
According to the Minister, joint efforts of the countries in cyber defence and energy security sectors are particularly important.
When addressing energy security problems in Lithuania, R. Jukneviciene stressed that energy security is a priority of Lithuania’s government. ‘We pay particular attention to regional cooperation – electricity bridges with Sweden and Poland, nuclear energy plant, etc. Energy independence is linked to influences on the political system…’, R. Jukneviciene said…
According to the Minister of Defence, there are still many unused possibilities to strengthen the military energy security dimension in the EU through the fields of scientific fellowship, military exercises, more efficient operations, etc.
The Ministers also discussed Estonia’s advice on cyber defence development.
‘Lithuania values Estonia’s initiative to improve the EU’s cyber defence capabilities and proposes to analyze Estonia’s offers in a variety of contexts’, said R. Jukneviciene in the meeting. ‘It should also come handy for the development of our national cyber defence capabilities.’
The results of Lithuania’s chairmanship of the Nordic-Baltic Initiative were also presented in the meeting. According to the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence, Lithuania has set its priorities on support to Georgia and Ukraine. The main focus in Georgia’s case was paid to public relations, personnel and doctrine development.
Under the NATO professional development programme to Georgia, several consultations and work seminars were organised, valuable experience shared and practical offers rendered on improving work activities. Ukraine offered to develop cooperation in supporting the public relation sector and decisions were approved on launching collaboration in environmental protection, regional cooperation and internal audit.
Cooperation with Ukraine is developed under the programme of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Working Group on Defence Reform.
The Nordic-Baltic Defence Ministers meeting is an annual event.
The Defence Minister’s delegation will return to Lithuania on Thursday night.
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Nordic Battle Group, Baltic-Nordic ‘Mini-NATO’ Progress
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/29946/?SID=b1b7f3ccd26ea21693315ee8215b897c
Defence Professionals
November 17, 2011
Estonian Defence Minister: Nordic Battle Group important for Nordic-Baltic Cooperation
-Minister Laar participated at the Nordic-Baltic Defence ministers meeting in Örebro on 15-16 November. Additionally, the Nordic-Baltic ministers met with the US Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defence as well as representatives of the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany and the Netherlands.
The Estonian minister of defence Mart Laar met with Swedish minister of defence Sten Tolgfors on the sidelines of the Nordic-Baltic defence ministers’ meeting in Örebro to discuss issues concerning Estonian-Swedish bilateral cooperation and regional cooperation as well as cooperation within the European Union.
On Estonian-Swedish relations, the ministers noted the positive increase in the countries’ bilateral defence cooperation. ‘Estonia and Sweden share interests and values. It is of utmost importance that we increase our bilateral cooperation in as many practical areas as possible,‘ stated minister Laar.
The ministers also noted the positive developments in Nordic-Baltic defence cooperation, and pointed at many promising cooperation areas like joint procurements, military education and training.
Minister Laar stressed the importance of the EU Nordic Battle Group in the development of our defence cooperation, and thanked Sweden for its leadership role. Minister Laar stated that Estonia hopes that Sweden will be able to continue this crucial role, and said that Estonia remains committed to contributing to a Swedish-led Nordic Battle Group in 2014.
‘The Nordic Battle Group is important not only for the EU, but for Nordic-Baltic cooperation and our bilateral relations in general. It is important that we continue with this very successful project,‘ said Laar.
Both sides concurred that experience gained from the previous Nordic Battle Groups has been rewarding.
Minister Laar participated at the Nordic-Baltic Defence ministers meeting in Örebro on 15-16 November. Additionally, the Nordic-Baltic ministers met with the US Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defence as well as representatives of the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany and the Netherlands.
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Sierra Leone: U.S. Holds Combat Training Ahead Of Somali Deployment
http://www.africom.mil/getArticle.asp?art=7445&lang=0
U.S. Africa Command
U.S. Army Africa
November 18, 2011
U.S. Army Africa Partners with Sierra Leone Armed Forces in Combat Skills Training
By Rich Bartell
U.S. Army Africa Public Affairs
HASTINGS, Sierra Leone: For Sergeant 1st Class Grady Hyatt, training combat skills to African partner nation soldiers is a full time job. Hyatt works as a military mentor for U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) with the U.S. Department of State’s African Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program known as ACOTA.
Recently, Hyatt assisted in training Sierra Leone soldiers in a series of combat skills over a two-week period at the Peace Mission Training Center and the Armed Forces Training Center near Hastings, Sierra Leone. Hyatt’s instruction was focused on teaching Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces soldiers to become trainers. In the U.S. Army, it is known as train the trainer.
Hyatt, working with…partners from the United Kingdom, instructed future trainers in various combat skills to include land navigation, map reading, first aid stations, basic rifle marksmanship, enhanced marksmanship, countering improvised explosive devices and mortar training.
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Hyatt is a former Marine infantryman and a Virginia National Guardsman assigned to 1st Battalion, 183rd Regimental Training Institute, currently on active duty with USARAF.
The New Dark Age 
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