May 27th Update

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (5/25)
• EAGER LION 2012: amphibious exercise in Red Sea currently underway; Participants include 19-nations
• CARAT 2012: Thailand phase ends (5/24)

SHIP LOGS:

May 23

• FS CD Gaulle (CVN): DCNS tests new flight deck coating on french carrier to improve traction and wear, plan to apply coating to carrier during it's 2013 scheduled refit
  

May 24

• FS Dixmude (LHD): ARG visited South Africa (May 16-21) (...contemplating how the Dixmude accomplished a helo attack in Somalia on 15^th, and visted S. Africa on 16^th, hmmm.... maybe the Dixmude didn't do it, maybe the attack helo's came out of Kenya or Djibouti (French base at Djibouti; French special forces in Kenya))
  
• HMS Ocean (LHD): visiting Sunderland, UK (May 24-28)
  
• HMS Triumph (SSN): completed visit to Bahrain, Br. Gen. Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa visits
  
• USS Ford (CVN-78): Final keel section installed (ETA delivery to fleet in 2015)
  
• USS Nimitz (CVN-68): Tiger Cruise with families at Puget Sound, WA
  

May 25

• RFA Argus: enroute to US (May 19), preparing for Caribbean hurricane season with supplies
  
• USS Makin Island (LHD-8): arrives at Hong Kong
  

May 26

• FS Marne (Supply): visits Seychelles (May 3 – 8)
  
• FS Nivose (FFG): conducts anti-piracy training @ Djibouti (May 16)
  
• USNS Mercy (T-AH-19): leaves Guam, onloaded personnel and supplies, next stop is Indonesia
  

GROUND UNITS LOGS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 26)
• I MEF, 1^st HQ Group, 1^st Law Enforement Battalion – KIA @ Helmand, Afghanistan
• UK The Royal Welsh, 1^st Battalion – KIA @ Nahr-e Saraj, Afghanistan
• US 2^nd Infantry Division, 2^nd Stryker BCT – KIA @ Maiwand, Afghanistan
• US 2^nd Infantry Division, 3^rd Stryker BCT – KIA @ Zharay, Afghanistan
• AFGHANISTAN: French president Hollande visits French forces at Kapisa, discusses withdrawal of combat forces this year, and announces a training contingent will remain in 2013; Likewise, the UK is planning to leave about 200 troops in Afghanistan after the 2014 withdrawal as an counter-terror unit
• SOUTH KOREA: US House Armed Services Committee voted to redeploy tactical nukes to South Korea and WESTPAC

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

• SOMALIA: AU and Somali troops drive islamist rebels Al-Shabab from their stronghold in Afgoye on Friday (May 25); Somali troops continue push to another rebel base at Balad
• SYRIA: Syria blames fridays massacre in Houla on rebels, world outrage growing with the growing violence in Syrian “Arab Spring” revolt

May 22nd Update

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (5/22)

SHIP LOGS:

May 12

• FS Tonnerre (LHD): conducts amphibious exercise in Ivory Coast (May 4^th to 12^th)
  

May 15

• FS Mistral (LHD): the 3^rd Marine Artillery Regiment tests the new Caesar mobile artillery system onboard the Mistral and Siroco for future operations
  

May 21

• USS Hawaii (SSN-776): begin WESTPAC deployment (6-month)
  

May 22

• FS CD Gaulle (CVN): french carrier begins airwing integration (Rafale fighter bombers; E2C Hawkeye AWACS; Marine Caiman Helicopters)
  
• SNS P. Asturias (CV): Spanish carrier threatened with mothballing due to budget cuts. Also at risk are 6-Santa Maria class FFG's.
  
• USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70): ETA arrive at homeport on (5/23)
  
• USS Wasp (LHD-1): heading to New York City Fleet Week
  

GROUND UNITS LOGS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 21)
• RUSSIA: Security forces kill warlord and 4-militants in Dagestan
• US 17^th Fires Brigade, 377^th Field Artillery, 1^st Battalion (Air Assualt) (NG-Washington): unit in Asadabad, Afghanistan (KIA Reports)
• US 82^nd Airborne Division, 4^th BCT, 508^th Parachute Regiment, 1^st Battalion: unit at Zharay, Afghanistan (KIA Reports)
• US 214^th Fires Brigade, 168^th Support Battalion (NG-Oklahoma): unit in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan (KIA Reports)

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

• LEBANON: UN fears 14-month conflict in Syria may spread to Lebanon, warning of a renewed civil war after an anti-Assad cleric was assassinated by soldiers
• NATO: Poland has warned Russia to stop interfering in NATO's missile defense deployment, saying Russia isn't part of NATO and has no say in the matter. NATO states that talks will continue with Russia, but no legal guarantees are being offered.
• NATO: Britain and France sign agreement to form joint military expeditionary force, which will be tested during the CORSICAN LION Exercise (October 17-26), and become operational in 2016 (...exercise added to naval grid)
• NEW ZEALAND: is planning to withdraw it's 145-man contingent from Afghanistan in 2013 instead of 2014 (currently stationed at Bamiyan Province)
• PHILIPPINES: Russia open to the idea of conducting joint anti-terror exercises with the Philippines
• UK: MoD has awarded contracts worth 350 million pounds to UK companies to design the next generation of SSBN submarines, due to be delivered in 2028, replacing the current Vanguard Class SSBN
• US: US Navy commissions it's 6^th San Antonio Class LPD, USS San Diego, on May 19^th.
• YEMEN: Al Qaeda suicide bomber attacks military parade during practice, killing 96

May 19th Update

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (5/18, 19)

SHIP LOGS:

May 15

• USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730): returns from Strategic Deterence Patrol
  

May 17

• USS McCampbell (DDG-85): Deploys from Yokosuka, Japan for WESTPAC patrol; visits Shimodo, Japan for “Black Fleet” ceremony
  

May 18

• USS BH Richard (LHD-6): ARG at Hat Yao, Thailand conducting CARAT 2012 with Thai Naval forces (...BHR still at Sasebo)
  
• USS Makin Island (LHD-8): arrives at Sepangar, Malaysia (...returning home)
  

May 19

• HMS Ocean (LHA): arrives at Hamburg, Germany today for 3-day visit
  
• SNMG-1: Group composition updated
  
• SNMG-2: Turkish FFG Giresun (FLAGSHIP) disrupts pirates in Arabian Sea on May 11^th
  

GROUND UNITS LOGS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 18), no changes
• UK forces in AFGHANISTAN: Nahr-e Saraj District begins transition phase to Afghan Army control (...last District currently under UK control, expecting final transition to begin mid-2013, and for UK combat mission to end in 2014)

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

May 18

• RUSSIA: the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad launches new landing ship Ivan Gren for Russian Navy; will be completed in 2013 (6,000 tons; can carry 13-MB Tanks or 36-APV, or 300-marines; planning to use in conjunction with french built Mistrals)

May 17th Update

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (5/16, 17)

SHIP LOGS:

May 15

• USS Swift (HSV-2): visiting Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo
  

May 16

• HMS St. Albans (FFG): visits Hamburg, Germany for the 823^rd anniversary of the harbor port festival

• USS Essex (LHD-2): returns to San Diego from Japan. Is planning to participate in RIMPAC, then begin an extensive maintenance period, then be assigned to 3^rd Fleet (SOUTHCOM) as ESG-3
  
• USS George Washington (CVN-73): Completes Sea Trials, ready to receive Airwing CVW-5
  
• USS Kearsarge (LHD-3): at sea, begin Afloat Training Group 2.3 Basic Phase with USS Normandy (CG-60)
  
• USS Vinson (CVN-70): visits Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
  

May 17

• INS “new native carrier design” (CV): India planning to design and build two new carriers, unknown delivery date, planning to use steam catapults, not ski jumps
  
• HMS Daring (DDG) visited Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia

• HMS Diamond (DDG): plans to deploy to the Persian Gulf next month
  
• USS Eisenhower (CVN-69): Completes COMPTUEX, CSG-8 composition updated, ETA Deployment updated to July-August
  
• USS Nimitz (CVN-68): returns to homeport in Washington
  
• USS Vinson (CVN-70): at sea, returning to San Diego (...possibly on Tiger Cruise, with family and visitors aboard)
  

GROUND UNITS LOGS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 17), no changes
• KYRGYZSTAN: Russian Defense Ministry says it has no plans to close it's AB at Kant, even though Kyrgyz President says it's not useful to anyone

• JOINT ANTI-TERROR EXERCISE: 22-Russian soldiers arrive in Colorado for exercise, will be training with US 10^th Special Forces Group for two weeks, then leaving on June 1^st
• MOLDOVA: 1,500 protestors march in capital, protesting Russian troops in Dnestre

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

May 16

• GREECE: economic instability produces run on banks, politicians warn of potential for pullout of Euro-zone, and possibly EU ...and possibility of civil war. Banks and stock markets consider return of Greek drachma. (...civil war? Really? I'd be surprised if the birthplace of western democracy would suffer a civil war over a tough , but overall temporary, economic condition ...but I'm not greek. If one did occur, I'd expect parties with ulterior motives at play, thinking they can take advantage of a bad situation, and I'd expect it to be limited in scope)

May 17

• ISRAEL: US seeks to booast funding to Israeli “Iron Dome” anti-rocket system

May 15th Update

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (5/14, 15)
• OPEN SPIRIT 2012: NATO mine clearing exercise begins May 14 to May 25 off the coast of Estonia

SHIP LOGS:

May 10

• USS Swift (HSV-2): visits Abidjan, Ivory Coast

May 12

• USS George Washington (CVN-73): at sea, completed SCRUBEX test of fire fighting / CBR system, begin Sea Trials
• USS Underwood (FFG-36): arrive at Callao, Peru for UNITAS Pacific 53-12 Exercise

May 13

• USS North Carolina (SSN-777): visits Subic Bay, Philippines (on WESTPAC deployment)

May 14

• USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19): visits Jakarta, Indonesia
• USS New Orleans (LPD-18) and USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52): visit Phuket, Thailand (...part of Makin Island ARG)

May 15

• USS George Washington (CVN-73): in Pacific, Sea Trials, onloading ammunition
  

GROUND UNITS LOGS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 14)
• US 4^th Infantry Division, 4^th BCT, 12^th Infantry Regiment, 1^st Battalion: currently @ Bagram, Afghanistan (KIA Report)
• US 1^st Marine Division, 5^th Marine Regiment: currently @ Helmand Province, Afghanistan (KIA Report) (...4^th Regiment removed from log)

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

May 14

• UGANDA: 24-Marines and trainers from US, UK and France are in Uganda assisting civilian contractors in training Ugandan army units in counter-insurgency tactics for service in Somalia (...deployment too small to note in log)

May 15

• SOMALIA: Somalia pirate onshore bases struck by EU naval air units, Aircraft & Attack Helicopters (...the units weren't identified ...BUT, the only capital ship in the area from the EU is the FS Dixmude (LHD), which has marine attack helo's. The decision to strike the pirate bases must have been made VERY recently, because the Dixmude was declared on (4/28) to have exited the EU piracy patrol to continue it's tour towards the southern tip of Africa. However, late last week the EU decided to allow the attacking of onshore pirate facilities, and began negotiating India's participation in the Atalante patrol, just as the UK declared it's intent to scale back sharply. It must have been then that the admiralty decided to strike the pirate facilities, and recalled the Dixmude back to the area.)

May 12th Update

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (5/10, 11)
• POMOR-2012: Naval EX with Russia and Norway (May 11-16)

SHIP LOGS:

April 30

• FS Dixmude (LHD): at Reunion Island April 30 to May 7

May 2

• FS Cassard (DDG): complete participation in GULF 2012 Exercise off UAE (4/28 – 5/2)

May 8

• USS J. Dunham (DDG-109): Leads USS Farragut, O. Austin, Carr and Klakring on Strait Transit EX in Atlantic on May 8^th (...assigned escort for Ike CSG)

May 9

• USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19): sailors tour Australian frigate (FFH-155) Ballarat, conduct VERTREPs and PASSEX
• USS Simpson (FFG-56): at Souda Bay, Crete; Participating in Phoenix Express (...currently on APS patrol)
• USNS Mercy (T-AH-19): at Pearl harbor, Hawaii

May 10

• USS Underwood (FFG-36): assists a stranded Peruvian fishing vessel in the Pacific (...currently on SOUTHCOM deployment)

May 11

• HMS Montrose (FFG): returns to Plymouth, UK from S. Atlantic patrol (...relieved by HMS Dauntless ...Montrose begins maintenance phase, removed from Log)
• USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19): at Jakarta, Indonesia

GROUND UNITS LOGS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 11)
• AFGHANISTAN: (5/2) French forces complete a resupply operation for FOB Tageb and Nijrab in Kapisa, Afghanistan
• AFGHANISTAN: (5/7) French Battle Group Steel relieves BG Tiger @ Kapisa (...see log for ORBAT)
• AFGHANISTAN: (5/8) UK 36 Engineer Regiment training Afghan EOD Teams in Helmand
• CHAD: (4/26) French Tactical Insertion & Civilian Evacuation Exercise, 70km NE of capital (ORBAT updated)
• KFOR: (4/25) General Ainsi visits post near Serb border, escorted by French 3^rd Hussards regiment
• RUSSIA: (5/12) six islamic rebels killed in Dagestan 10-days after bombings killed 15

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

May 10

• FRANCE: Hollande establishes policy to end French dominance in Africa (...Sarkozy did too, then changed his mind after getting in office)
• RUSSIA: Russian security personnel foil plot by Chechen rebels to attack the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russian forces in Abkhazia raid supply base, find explosives, anti-aircraft missiles and detonators, blame Chechen rebel leader Umarov and Georgian Intelligence for plot
• USA: USS Lake Erie (CG) tests new Naval ABM (Standard Missile SM-3 Block 1B) off Hawaii; successfully destroys SRBM target missile launched from facility on Kauai, Hawaii with it's guided kinetic-kill warhead; SM-3 is an essential componant of the ABM system being built in Europe, and slated to be operational and deployed by 2015. (...2015 deployment noted on grid)

May 9th Updates

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (5/8, 9)
• PHOENIX EXPRESS 2012: Exercise begins May 7^th at Souda Bay; Participants include S. European Navies, US Navy and African Navies;
• RIMPAC 2012: added to grid (June 29 – Aug 3); Participants include 22-nations, 42-ships, 6-subs, 200-aircraft, 25,000-personnel in the world's largest international maritime exercise

SHIP LOGS:

May 6

• USS Louisiana (SSBN-743): returns to HOMEPORT, ends strategic deterent patrol
• USS McClusky (FFG-41): assist USS Nicholas interdict drug ship (...on SOUTHCOM patrol?)
• USS Nicholas (FFG-47): Interdicts drug ship in W. Caribbean (...on SOUTHCOM patrol?)
• USS Underwood (FFG-36): transits Panama Canal (...currently on SOUTHCOM Deployment)

May 7

• USS New York (LPD-21): conducting air/sea ops in Mediterranean (...part of Iwo Jima ARG, might be in Phoenix Express)

May 8

• HMS Montrose (FFG): completed visit to Burmuda, returning to UK (...ETA @ UK on 5/11 @ 10:00 AM)
• USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7): port visit @ Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• USS Nimitz (CVN-68): conducting Carrier Qualifications in Pacific off S. California
• USS Wasp (LHD-1): returns home

May 9

• China's S. Sea Fleet: conducts amphibious exercise; Participants include Amphibious ship (possibly LPD), 1-Marine Brigade, and 1-Airborne Naval Regiment; Location or objective of exercise not identified (CNTV)
• HMS Ocean (LHD): @ London, open ship for tours, will be travelling to Sunderland soon, then return for the Olympics
• HMS St. Albans (FFG): @ Iceland, commemoration of WWII convoys to USSR

GROUND UNITS LOGS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 8^th)
• I MEF / 1^st Marine Division: 1^st Marine Logistics verified in Helmand (KIA Report)
• I MEF / 1^st Marine Division: 7^th Regiment removed from grid, possibly rotated home and replaced by 11^th Regiment
• 10^th Mountain Division: 10^th Sustainment Brigade verified in Logar Province, Afghanistan (KIA Report)
• UK 45 Commando: completes SCOTTISH LION EXERCISE, is now the Royal Marines READY unit
• New Ground Units Log Posted, tell me what you think...

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

May 7

• LIBYA: Russia lifts arms embargo on Libya, clearing the way for renegotiation of arms sales and maintenance contracts (...expecting France and Russia to vie for dominance in Libya, the winner becoming the foreign policy lead in the middle east for Libya, and gravitation towards that camp, either pro-Europe or pro-Russia / China / Iran)(Ria Novosti)
• RUSSIA: President Putin orders development of naval power in artic and pacific theaters (Ria Novosti)

May 8

• RUSSIA: is developing a new liquid fueled heavy ICBM (100 ton) by 2022, able to penetrate the US / Europe Missile Defense system (Ria Novosti)

May 10

• UK: The UK says they've decided to cut back on year-round anti-pirate patrols off Somalia with Frigates; It takes 4-FFG to patrol all year, and 4-FFG were recently cut from the budget; The Royal Navy is no longer able to sustain continuous piracy patrols (...the Falklands and Gulf take precidence ...NOTE: last month EU changed the ROE, allowing the bombardment of pirate facilities ashore, and they're seeking greater participation and coordination with India).

May 7th Updates

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (5/7)

SHIP LOGS:

April 29

• USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70): six RADF officers were brought on board to observe carrier operations and share info (...ended May 2)

May 5

• USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7): Relieves Makin Island ARG of duties, begin 5^th Fleet maritime patrol

May 7

• HMCS Charlottetown (FFG): Seizes drug shipment in Arabian Sea (...currently assigned to SNMG-1)

GROUND UNITS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 4th)

May 5th Update

SHIP LOCATIONS:

• Ship & Group Locations Checked / Updated (4/30 – 5/5)
• FRONTIER SENTINEL 2012 Begins May 1^st; Canadian and US Navy Counter-Mine Exercise in Sydney Harbor

SHIP LOGS:

April 28

• FS Dixmude (LHD): exits Op. Atalante anti-pirate patrol, begin transit to S. Africa
• USS independence (LCS-2): departs Manzanillo, Mexico; PASSEX with ARM H.Galeana (FFG - Mexico)
• Russian North Fleet: the Northern Fleet will send the Udaloy Class DDG Admiral Kulakov to the Red Sea / Gulf of Aden as part of it's Anti-piracy patrol committements; will relieve the Admiral Tributs; will arrive in early May; (...Kulakov Piracy TF currently in Mediterranean?)

April 30

• FLEET WEEK @ Miami, Florida done, ships depart Port Everglades
• USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70): enters 3^rd Fleet AOR
• USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7): enters 5^th Fleet AOR
• USS Peleliu (LHA-5): at Sea, training for future deployment

May 1

• HMS Diamond (DDG): Completes live fire test of main missile battery, ready to deploy within a couple weeks
• HMS Dauntless (DDG): takes part in SAHARAN EXPRESS (April 26) off Senegal
• USS Underwood (FFG-36): completes COMPTUEX w/ Eisenhower CSG, Begins SOUTHCOM Deployment

May 2

• USS Essex (LHD-2): enters 3^rd Fleet AOR
• USS Independence (LCS-2): Arrives at San Diego, Transfer complete
• USS Lincoln (CVN-72): port visit @ Manama, Bahrain
• USS Makin Island (LHD-8): enters 7^th Fleet AOR

May 3

• INS Viraat (CV): UK's Prince William tours ship during visit to Mumbai and the Western Naval Command HQ
• USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70): transits Bass Straits, Australia
• USS Swift (HSV-2): visits Rota, Spain, begin Africa Patrol Station patrol
• USS Underwood (FFG-36): in Caribbean Sea on SOUTH SEAS 2012 patrol
• USNS Mercy (T-AH-19): Departs San Diego for PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP 2012

May 4

• HMS Bulwark (LPD): arrives at Weymouth, begin 9-day military / civilian exercise for Olympics
• HMS Ocean (LHD): sails up the Thames River, London, begin 9-day military / civilian exercise for Olympics
• USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19): visiting Sihanoukville, Cambodia
• USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70): in Pacific, returning home
• USS Halsey (DDG-97): visits Brisbane, Australia (arrival date unknown ...currently on WESTPAC deployment)
• USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7): visits Aqaba, Jordan
• USS Tripoli (LHA-7): SECNAV Mabus names the new assualt ship (...add USS America and Tripoli to SHIP LOGS, USS America ETA delivery to fleet in 2013; USS Tripoli ETA delivery to fleet no later than 2016)

May 5

• USS Hue City (CG-66): identified as part of Eisenhower CSG, escort list updated
• USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79): identified as part of Eisenhower CSG (...the escort list is very large, I'm expecting at least two to not deploy as part of the group)

GROUND UNITS:

• Ground units locations updated per DOD reports, up to (May 4th)
• 7^th Special Forces Group, 2^nd Battalion, verified in Khandahar, Afghanistan via KIA reports
• French Battle Group Tiger in Afghanistan sweeps Afghanya and Ghain valleys with Afghan Army Kandak Battalion 33 on (4/25-26) for weapon caches
• <A new Ground Units Log is being created, will upload when complete)

NOTEWORTHY NEWS:

May 2

• CHINA: Japan says three PLAAN warships (2-FFG, 1-Intel) transited Kagoshima Straits and sailed into Pacific Ocean on (4/30)
• ISRAEL: IDF activates 6-reserve battalions for duty on Sinai and Syria borders, citing security needs (Times of Israel)
• NORTH KOREA: SK government says eight or nine NK subs went off radar shortly after Pyongyang threatens “special action” against Seoul (Korea Joongang Daily)

May 3

• AFGHANISTAN: US and Afghanistan sign agreement allowing US military presence in the country for possibly 12-years (World Tribune)
• ISRAEL: Israeli Navy receives a fourth Dolphin submarine from Germany, is nuclear capable, plans to receive up to six (Haaretz)
• RUSSIA: Russian General Staff says Russia does not exclude preeemptive uses of weapons against NATO missile defense systems in Europe if they consider it a threat (Ria Novosti)

May 4

• SERBIA: Serbian military officials warn that an outbreak of violence may occur in Kosovo during the Serbian elections next Sunday (UPI)