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WEEKLY NEWS & LOG UPDATE
March 23 – March 29
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NAVAL-MARINE OPERATIONS
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CHINA
16th
ESCORT TASK FORCE
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See EU-Operation
ATALANTA
FRANCE
WEST AFRICA
CORYMBE TASK FORCE
·
Task
Force: FS Commadant Birot (Frigate)
JEAN DE ARC TASK FORCE
·
Task Force: FS Mistral (Assault Ship); FS La
Fayette (Frigate)
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(Mar 22-26) @
Atlantic; Task Force begins CORYMBE Phase with bilateral exercise EMERALD
MISTRAL with Senegal (MOD)
FS Jean Bart
(Destroyer)
·
(Mar 20) @
Arabian Sea; French Destroyer FS Jean Bart participates in joint naval
exercises with Indian Navy off Goa and Mumbai (MOD)
RUSSIA
MEDITERRANEAN
TASK FORCE
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NO NEWS
UNITED KINGDOM
JOINT WARRIOR
·
(Mar 24) UK
carrier HMS Illustrious and frigate HMS Kent departs Portsmouth for large
NATO joint exercises JOINT WARRIOR off Scotland (Royal Navy)
…UK units include:
o
HMS Bulwark
(LPD)
o
HMS Illustrious
(Carrier)
o
HMS Dauntless
(DDG)
o
HMS Dragon
(DDG)
o
HMS Kent (FFG)
o
4-MCMs
o
3-RFA LSDs
o
3 Commando
HMS Dauntless (Destroyer)
·
(Mar 27) @
Newcastle; UK Destroyer visits its affiliated city, it’s not open for tours,
but will hosts visits by the Sea Cadets and local dignitaries (Royal Navy)
HMS Protector (Ice Patrol
Ship)
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(Mar 28) @ Antarctica;
UK Ice Patrol Ship HMS Protector reaches Marguerite Bay, continue scientific
studies and charting remote waters (Royal
Navy)
UNITED STATES
US CARRIER STRIKE
GROUPS
USS Lincoln (CVN-72)
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(Mar 28) @
Newport News; USN Carrier reaches 1-year mark in its RCOH mid-life refueling
(USN)
USS Truman CSG
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(Mar 28) @ Suez
Canal; CSG exits 5th Fleet AOR, enters Mediterranean (USN)
US AMPHIBIOUS READY
GROUPS & COMMAND SHIPS
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)
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(Mar 28) @
Japan; USN Command Ship concludes WESTPAC patrol, continues Security Reaction
Force-Basic training started on Mar 9 (USN)
USS BH Richard ARG
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(Mar 27) @ E.
China Sea; ARG begins Exercise SSANG YONG 2014 with S. Korea and USMC 3rd
MEB (USN)
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(Mar 25) @
Okinawa; ARG departs White Beach, Okinawa with 3rd MEB, will
participate in Exercise SSANG YONG (Mar 27 to April 7) with S. Korean Navy
and Marines (USN)
US WARSHIPS
EXERCISE MULTI-SAIL 14
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(Mar 26) @ Pacific; USN forward deployed warships participate in 7th
Fleet major exercise MULTI-SAIL-14 (USN) …units include
o USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54)
o USS John McCain (DDG-56)
o USS Lassen (DDG-82)
o USS McCampbell (DDG-85)
o USS Shiloh (CG-67)
EXERCISE NOBLE DINA
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(Mar 26) @
Mediterranean; USN begins active phase of naval exercise NOBLE DINA with
Greece and Israel (USN) …units
include
o
USS Donald Cook
(DDG-75)
o
USS Ramage (DDG-61)
o
USNS Lenthall
(T-AO-189)
o
P-3 aircraft
from Patrol Squadron-3
USS RG Bradley (FFG-49)
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(Mar 28) @
Mayport; USN Frigate is decommissioned after nearly 30-years of service (USN)
USS Frank Cable (AS-40)
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(Mar 27) @
Thailand; USN submarine tender visits Sattahip, is visited by Thai chefs for
cooking lessons in Thai food (USN)
USS Miami (SSN-755)
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(Mar 28) @
Maine; USN formally decommissions the Los Angeles Class Fast Attack Submarine
USS Miami (USN)
OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS
EU – OPERATION
ATALANTA (CTF-465)
•
(Mar 28) @ Crete; German Frigate FGS Brandenburg visits Souda Bay while
en-route to Gulf of Aden (Bundesmarine)
•
(Mar 19-20) @ Gulf of Aden; ATALANTA LST FS Siroco and Frigate FGS
Hessen participate in Exercise GOLDEN STAR with Chinese Frigate PLAN Yancheng
and oiler PLAN Taihu (MOD)
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(Mar 18) @ Indian Ocean; French LST FS Siroco refuels with USNS Pecos
during anti-piracy patrol off Horn of Africa (MOD)
NATO – OPERATION OCEAN
SHIELD (CTF-508) (Patrolled by NATO-SNMG-2)
•
NO NEWS
NATO – SNMG-1
• (Mar 26) @ Norway; German Corvette FGS Magdeburg
conducts small-ship exercises with Norwegian Skjold Class patrol ships and
frigate Thor Heyerdahl (Bundesmarine)
GERMANY
·
(Mar 28) @
Wilhelmshaven; German Frigate FGS Bremen is decommissioned following 32 years
of service (Bundesmarine)
ITALY
·
(Mar 27) @
Mediterranean; ITS San Giorgio (LHD) rescues 218-Migrants during Operation
Mare Nostrum, then transports them to Augusta, Sicily (DIFESA)
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AIR-GROUND OPERATIONS
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AFRICA
NO NEWS
AMERICAS
NO NEWS
ASIA / PACIFIC
RUSSIA
·
(Mar 28) Russia
has started preparations to terminate bilateral agreements with Ukraine, including
the 1997 agreement for the Black Sea Fleet (RIA Novosti)
EUROPE
UKRAINE
·
(Mar 27)
Ukraine says 100,000 Russian troops are massing in its borders, are staging
opposite Kharkiv and Donetsk. Ukraine expects an invasion any day now (Defense News)
·
(Mar 27) UN
General Assembly approves referendum calling Crimean secession from Ukraine
invalid (CNN)
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Sunday, March 30, 2014
March 23-29 Weekly News & Log Updates
Friday, March 28, 2014
Ukraine SITREP (Mar 28)
UKRAINE SITREP
March 28, 2014
Several news sources report the Russians are massing 100,000
troops near the border in Russia. Territories mentioned are…
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Kursk
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Belgorod
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Rostov
·
Tambov
Today, the news reports state that supply lines are being constructed
and reinforced in Russia, possibly indicating preparation for offensive actions.
Without having prior information on the composition of Russian forces in these
zone, the 4-zones appear to be possible staging areas for certain offensive
actions and targets
·
Belgorod: positioned well to strike and hold
Kharkiv and surrounding areas
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Rostov: positioned well to strike and hold
Donetsk and surrounding areas
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Kursk: positioned well to control the northern
flank and strike Kiev
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Tambov: positioned well to support Belgorod and
Kursk strike operations with follow-on troops and supplies
OBSERVATIONS:
No corresponding reinforcement has been mentioned at
Volgograd, which would support the Rostov strike units. This could mean either…
·
Volgograd, which is a major hub for operations
for the Caucasus, needs no additional prep for Rostov operations, or…
·
The primary axis of action will be from Kursk
and Belgorod, and operations from Rostov is expected to be sharp but not long
No movement of Russian troops has been mentioned inside
Belarus, which may mean no major rear flanking action west of Kiev is anticipated.
However, the Russian AF has been reinforcing their units in Belarus. This action
would allow deep strike and supporting air dominance over western Ukraine and
Kiev, as well as providing air control along Lithuania and Poland’s border,
which would provide a feint versus NATO. Also, please note that Russia maintains
a handful of tactical ballistic missile strike units in Belarus and
Kaliningrad, which would be useful in western Ukraine and as a threat to NATO
positions in Poland and Lithuania. NATO is obligated to protect Poland and Lithuania,
not Ukraine. If NATO is forced to choose, they’ll let Ukraine fail and preserve
Poland & Lithuania.
Recently, I heard briefly of a Russian exercise in Moldova,
in the Trans-Dniester enclave. This enclave is currently controlled by a
Russian peacekeeper / paratrooper brigade. NATO has been speculating Russia may
forcibly annex the enclave next. However, the forward position of the brigade,
and its proximity to the western Ukraine border, being about a 50km drive down
the M16 highway from the border, makes it an ideal rear flanking unit with the
ability to strike and seize Odessa, a very strategic city and naval base on the
Black Sea. The enclave has an airport at Tiraspol (runway is about 1.5km long)
but is listed as inoperable. However, the Russian exercise was rumored as involving
a division sized unit. It’s possible that the airfield is in good enough
condition for Russian forces to utilize, but not good enough for civilian
traffic. If any rear flank strike were to emanate from the enclave, then its
logistics would be in jeopardy within 1-week, unless it was able to seize the
Odessa port and ferry amphibious reinforcements from Sevestopol simultaneously.
If logistics were pre-staged, then strategic surprise is potentially lost.
The current status of the Ukrainian military is unknown. Based
on observations and news reports, army units are fragmented and rebuilding. The
Ukrainian government has established a new National Guard and opened it up to
recruitment by the general populace in an effort to supplement the active army.
The heavy use of passive defenses on the border indicates weakness. If Russia were
to strike, I expect Ukrainian units to either surrender or put up resistance
while retreating. No real punishing resistance is expected until the Russian vanguard
reaches the Dnepr or Kiev. Any units east of the Dnepr, unless they’re capable
of fighting on the run or melting and acting unconventionally, runs the risk of
being destroyed or captured (i.e. Air defense, artillery, armor, etc…). Another
6-months is needed to make the army operation-ready. An effective army takes
10-years to build from scratch.
If the Russians do initiate a strike operation versus the Ukraine,
I expect…
·
The Russian AF will achieve air-supremacy in
short order, and use it to dominate the ground.
·
The Russian Navy will achieve naval supremacy in
short order, and use it to control Odessa. Amphibious operations versus Odessa
is possible in concert with flanking feint from Moldova.
·
The Russian Army will rapidly seize Kharkiv and
Donetsk as primary targets, “liberating” the Russian population there.
·
The Russian Army units in Kursk will act to
secure the Northern flank (Kharkiv to Belarus). Kursk units may drive deep to
Kiev in effort to topple pro-Europe “ultra-nationalist” regime, securing Russia’s
frontier versus the West.
·
The Russian units in Crimea will act to secure
the southern flank, possibly donating 30-60% of their forces to clearing the southern
Dnepr natural boundary from infiltration, and flanking Kiev and/or Odessa.
·
Marching west of Kiev is very risky for Russian
forces. The population is thoroughly anti-Russian and a bloody insurgency is
very possible. Capturing Kiev and placing a pro-Russian regime in place, and
never entering western Ukraine, is very plausible. Using Russian forces to
secure Kiev and the new regime is likely, preventing a counter-revolution.
Splitting the country at the Dnepr is likewise possible.
http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/03/28/concerns-mount-over-russian-troop-buildup-on-ukraine-border/
Monday, March 24, 2014
March 16 - 22 Weekly News & Log Updates
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WEEKLY NEWS & LOG UPDATE
March 16 – March 22
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NAVAL-MARINE OPERATIONS
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CHINA
16th
ESCORT TASK FORCE
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(Mar 20) @
Mediterranean; Chinese frigate PLAN Huangshan completes its 9th
escort mission of Syrian chemical weapons (People's Daily)
PLAN Haixun 01 (Rescue
Ship)
·
(Mar 18) @ S.
China Sea; Chinese rescue ship departs for Singapore, will patrol near the
Sunda Strsits and assist in the search for missing airliner MH370 (People's Daily)
PLAN Qiandaohu (Supply
Ship)
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(Mar 17) @ S.
China Sea; Chinese supply ship resupply’s PLAN Haikou and Mianyang during
search for missing airliner MH370 (People's Daily)
FRANCE
WEST AFRICA
CORYMBE TASK FORCE
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Task
Force: FS Commadant Birot (Frigate)
·
NO NEWS
JEAN DE ARC TASK FORCE
·
Task Force: FS Mistral (Assault Ship); FS La
Fayette (Frigate)
RUSSIA
MEDITERRANEAN
TASK FORCE
•
NO NEWS
RFS Vladivostok
(Assault Ship)
·
(Mar 20) Russia
says France must fulfill their delivery contract or return money, completion
of the assault ships Vladivostok and Sevastopol have been in question since
the Crimean crisis and initiation of EU sanctions (RIA Novosti)
UNITED KINGDOM
HMS Defender (Destroyer)
HMAS Ballarat (Australian
Frigate)
·
(Mar 21) @
Indian Ocean; Australian frigate HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Success (Supply Ship)
participate in Exercise BLUE RAPTOR during Operation Slipper patrol (AU)
UNITED STATES
US CARRIER STRIKE
GROUPS
USS Bush CSG
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(Mar 21) @
Black Sea; USN destroyer departs Black Sea after concluding PASSEX with NATO
allies (USN)
USS Truman CSG
USS Vinson CSG
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(Mar 21) @ San
Diego; Carrier group concludes Fleet Synthetic Training in preparation for
COMPTUEX and JTFEX pre-deployment training (USN)
US AMPHIBIOUS READY
GROUPS & COMMAND SHIPS
USS Bataan ARG
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(Mar 8) @
Israel; USN Landing ship USS Mesa Verde conducts tours of Israel during port
visit (USN)
USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)
·
(Mar 18) @
Philippines; USN Command ship visits Manila, conducts ship tours, military
exchanges, and recreational events (USN)
USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20)
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(Mar 20) @
Italy; USN Command Ship for 6th Fleet completes 3-days of underway
readiness training (USN)
US WARSHIPS
USS Kidd (DDG-100)
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(Mar 18) @
Andaman Sea; USN destroyer is detached from SAR efforts for missing airliner
MH370, nothing has been found (USN)
USS Simpson (FFG-56)
USS Wayne E Meyer (DDG-108)
USNS Spearhead (JHSV-1)
·
(Mar 10-14) @
Atlantic; USN high speed vessel participates in Exercise Saharan Express off
Morocco (USN)
OTHER REGIONAL POWERS / ORGANIZATIONS
EU – OPERATION
ATALANTA (CTF-465)
•
(Mar 18) @ Wilhelmshanven; German supply ship FGS Rhon departs for EU
Operation ATALANTA patrol in Indian Ocean, is expected to return home in June
(Bundesmarine)
•
(Mar 17) @ Wilhelmshaven; German frigate FGS Brandenburg departs for EU
Operation ATALANTA patrol in Indian Ocean (Bundesmarine)
•
(Feb 13) @ Greece; Greek frigate HS Psara (F-454 – Hydra Class WIKI) departs for EU Operation
Atalanta (EU)
NATO – OPERATION OCEAN
SHIELD (CTF-508) (Patrolled by NATO-SNMG-2)
•
(Mar 21) @ Seychelles; Netherlands frigate HMNLS Evertsen delivered
badly injured civilian sailor from French fishing vessel Belouve to
Seychelles for medical treatment (NATO)
•
(Mar 19) @
Djibouti; Spanish frigate SPS Cristobal Colon replaces SPS Alvaro De Bazan as
Flagship for SNMG-2 until US Navy assumes control this summer (NATO)
NATO – SNMG-1
• NO NEWS
INDIA
·
(Mar 20) @ Bay
of Bengal; Indian warships and aircraft participate in search operations for
missing airliner MH370 (Indian Navy)
…units include
o
INS Batti Malv
(T67 – Bangaram Class OPS)
o
INS Sahyadri (F49
– Shivalik FFG)
o
INS Saryu (P54
– Saryu Class OPS)
o
INS Satpura (F48
– Shivalik Class FFG)
ITALY
·
(Mar 19) @
Mediterranean; Italian assault ship ITS San Giusto, frigate ITS Euro and
Patrol Ship Cigala Fulgosi, Coast Guard cutters 302 and 305, rescued 596
migrants (DIFESA)
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AIR-GROUND OPERATIONS
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AFRICA
NO NEWS
AMERICAS
NO NEWS
ASIA / PACIFIC
NO NEWS
EUROPE
UKRAINE
·
(Mar 22) 2,000
of 18,000 Ukrainian troops stationed in Crimea return to Ukraine with their
families (RIA Novosti)
·
(Mar 18)
Russian lawmaker says Crimea could take control of half of Ukraine’s Navy
(about 20-ships), and eventually turn them over to Russia (RIA Novosti)
·
(Mar 18) Crimea
requires Tatars to vacate land and relocate in effort to resolve squatting by
Tatars returning to their native land (RIA Novosti)
·
(Mar 18) @
Sevestopol; Russians storm and capture Ukrainian naval base, base commander
detained (BBC)
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(Mar 18) @
Crimea; Ukrainian and Russian soldier killed during clash at Simferopol Ukrainian
Army Vehicle Pool Base
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(Mar 17)
Ukraine partially mobilizes the country’s reserve forces, Sky News reports
anti-tank traps and trenches being placed on border near Donetsk, Anti-Air
units moving towards border (RIA Novosti)
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