Sept 20-26 Weekly News & Log Updates

 

WEEKLY NEWS & LOG UPDATE Sept 20 – Sept 26

NAVAL & MARINE OPERATIONS

CHINA Peoples Liberation Army – Navy Task Forces PLAN Liaoning CSG PLAN Liaoning (Carrier) PLAN U/I Destroyer J-15 Fighters Z-18F Anti-Sub Helicopters Z-18J AEW Helicopters   STATUS: Pacific Ocean <SYRIA OPERATIONS> ·          (Sep 25) @ Syria; Chinese carrier arrives unannounced at Tartus with destroyer, airwing will be flown in with 1,000 Marines to join Russia in combat (http://www.debka.com/article/24909/A-Chinese-aircraft-carrier-docks-at-Tartus-to-support-Russian-Iranian-military-buildup-) ·         (Sep 22) @ Suez Canal; Chinese carrier transits canal 20th ESCORT TASK FORCE PLAN Jinan (Destroyer) PLAN Yiyang (Frigate) PLAN Qiandaohu (Supply) STATUS: Mediterranean Sea ·          NO UPDATES 21st ESCORT TASK FORCE PLAN Liuzhou (Frigate) PLAN Sanya (Frigate) PLAN Qianghaihu (Supply) STATUS: Indian Ocean (Anti-Piracy & Shipping Escort Patrols) ·          NO UPDATES PEACE & FREEDOM 2015 Task Force PLAN Peace Ark (Hospital) PLAN U/I (Destroyer) PLAN U/I (Frigate) STATUS: Pacific Ocean (Exercise w/ Malaysia) ·          (Sep 19) @ Strait of Malacca; Joint exercise PEACE & FREEDOM begins (http://en.people.cn/n/2015/0920/c90786-8952485.html) Zhenghe Training Cruise PLAN Zhenghe (Training Frigate) STATUS: Pacific Ocean (PLAN Officer Training Cruise) ·          (Sep 24) @ Dalian; PLAN training ship departs for officer “Far Sea Intern Mission” training cruise and goodwill visit tour of Pacific, will visit Vladivostok, Pearl Harbor and Chinhae Port (http://en.people.cn/n/2015/0924/c98649-8954831.html) Other Chinese Carrier Type-001 ·         (Sep 27) China is expected to launch its new domestically produced aircraft carrier on Chairman Mao’s birthday, is based on Russian Kuznetsov Class carrier design (http://www.wantchinatimes.com/news/content?id=20150927000084&cid=1101)

FRANCE Atlantic <CARIBBEAN Patrol> FS Ventose (Frigate) <CORYMBE Patrol> FS Germinal (Frigate) ·         (Sep 21) @ Togo; FS Germinal conducts operational training with Togolese Navy (http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/corymbe-instruction-operationnelle-a-lome-togo) ·         (Sep 7-8) @ Caribbean; FS Ventose welcomes aboard representatives from Martinique, highlighting French efforts to combat drug trafficking (http://www.defense.gouv.fr/ema/forces-prepositionnees/antilles/actualites/faa-a-la-decouverte-de-la-marine-a-bord-de-la-fregate-de-surveillance-ventose) Med <Med Refugee Patrol> FS Cmdt Bouan (Frigate) ·         (Sep 12) @ Italy; Indian Ocean FS Cassard (Destroyer) FS Var (Tanker) ·         (Sep 25) FS Cassard arrived at Djibouti (Aug 28-Sep 5), conducts assault exercises with French forces at Djibouti (http://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/actu-marine/ffdj-entrainement-a-l-assaut-de-vive-force) Pacific <PACIFIC PATROL> FS Vendemiaire (Frigate)   ·         NO NEWS Other Russian Mistrals ·         (Sep 23) Egypt agrees to buy 2-Mistral Assault Ships originally slated for Russia (http://navaltoday.com/2015/09/24/egypt-buys-french-mistrals/)

RUSSIA Task Forces MED. TASK FORCE RFS Epron (Rescue) RFS Moskva (Cruiser) RFS Saratov (LST) RFS Smetlivy (Destroyer) RFS SSV-201 (Intel) 2-4 LSTs 5-Warships 3-Supply Ships LOCATION: Mediterranean ·         (Sep 26) Russia advises that their East Mediterranean Task Force was reinforced by the cruiser Moskva, destroyer Smetlivy, Tapir-class landing ship Saratov with auxiliary ships; will be reinforced again by another frigate and a missile gunboat; live-fire exercises will take place through October, civilian aircraft are warned to stay clear (http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4195651&Itemid=1) Other ·         NO UPDATES

UNITED KINGDOM – ROYAL NAVY TASK FORCES UK Ready Force TF HMS Ocean (Assault Ship) ·           STATUS: UK (Naval Ready Group) ·          NO UPDATES   HMS Bulwark JEF HMS Bulwark (LPD) ·           STATUS: Atlantic Ocean (Training) ·         (Sep 25) UK landing ship conducts landing exercise at Tregantle Fort, supported by helicopters from HMS Ocean, preparing and part of COUGAR 15 (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/25/150925-bulwark-landings) Atlantic Patrol HMS Iron Duke (Frigate) HMS Lancaster (Frigate) RFA Gold Rover (Tanker) RFA Lyme Bay (LSD) ·         (Sep 25) @ S. Africa; HMS Lancaster and RFA Gold Rover conduct 4-day training with S. African Type-209 Diesel Electric sub Queen Modjadji (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/25/150925-lancaster-and-gold-rover-south-africa) ·         (Sep 24) @ UK; HMS Iron Duke and Somerset conduct live-fire exercises (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/24/150924-rn-firepower) Med Patrol HMS Enterprise (Survey) ·         NO UPDATES Indian Ocean Patrol HMS Duncan (Destroyer) HMS Richmond (Frigate) RFA Fort Victoria (Fleet Tanker) ·         (Sep 16) @ Qatar; HMS Duncan visits Qatar, hosts Qatari joint command and staff (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/22/150921-duncan-hosts-qatar-armed-forces) Other HMS Sutherland (Frigate) ·         (Sep 23) @ Devonport; HMS Sutherland is re-christened  following major refit period (http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/23/150923-hms-sutherland-rededication-ceremony)

UNITED STATES NAVY Carrier Strike Groups USS Theodore Roosevelt   (TRCSG-12) CVN-71 – USS T. Roosevelt CG-60 – USS Normandy DDG-81 – USS W. Churchill DDG-98 – USS Forrest Sherman DDG-99 – USS Farragut STATUS: Arabian Gulf (CENTCOM DEPLOYMENT) <OIR STRIKE OPERATIONS> ·         NO UPDATES USS George Washington CSG-9 Commander, CSG – 9 CVN-73 – USS G. Washington DDG-74 – USS McFaul DDG-90 – USS Chafee T-AO-198 – USNS Big Horn T-AO-200 – USNS Guadalupe Ø  CVW – 2 STATUS: Pacific Ocean, 4th Fleet <HOMEPORT TRANSFER CRUISE> <SOUTHERN SEAS 2015 / UNITAS> ·         (Sep 22) @ Pacific; US carrier conducts PASSEX with Japanese ships (http://navaltoday.com/2015/09/24/george-washington-engages-in-passex-with-jts/) ·          (Sep 21) @ Pacific; US carrier begins SOUTHERN SEAS 2015 deployment to 4th Fleet, joins current ships assigned to Latin America, will participate in UNITAS-Pacific in October and UNITAS-Atlantic in November; is en-route to Norfolk for homeport change for major refit (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91173) USS Harry S. Truman CSG-4 Commander, CSG – 4 Commander, DESRON – 28 CVN-75 – USS Harry S Truman CG-68 – USS Anzio  DDG-61 – USS Ramage DDG-66 – USS Gonzalez DDG-84 – USS Bulkney DDG-107 – USS Gravely Ø  CVW – 7 STATUS: Atlantic Ocean, 2nd Fleet (Training) <COMPTUEX> ·          (Sep 18) @ Atlantic; CSG reaches mid-point of COMPTUEX (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91157) USS Eisenhower CSG-10 Commander, CSG – 10 CVN-69 – USS D. Eisenhower Ø  CVW – 3 STATUS: Atlantic Ocean, 2nd Fleet (Training) <CERTIFICATIONS> ·         NO UPDATES USS Ronald Reagan   CVN-76 – USS Ronald Reagan Ø  CVW-5 STATUS: Pacific Ocean, 7th Fleet, (Forward-Deployed) <HOMEPORT TRANSFER CRUISE> ·         (Sep 24) US carrier expected to dock at Busan in October with 2-DDG and 1-CG for naval parade, also 2-F-22 and 1-Global Hawk will be deployed to Korea and be displayed for Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition 2015 (http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2015/09/116_187486.html) Amphibious Ready Groups   &   Command Ships USS Essex ARG LHD-2 – USS Essex LPD-23 – USS Anchorage LSD-47 – USS Rushmore Ø  15th MEU STATUS:  Arabian Gulf (CENTCOM Deployment) <OIR STRIKE OPERATIONS> ·         (Sep 21-Oct 10) @ Djibouti; 15th MEU and USS Anchorage conducting joint exercises with French forces at Djibouti (http://www.marines.mil/News/NewsDisplay/tabid/3258/Article/617901/15th-meu-marines-participate-in-bilateral-exercise-with-french-forces-in-djibou.aspx) USS Kearsarge ARG LHD-3 – USS Kearsarge LPD-24 – USS Arlington LSD-51 – USS Oak Hill Ø  26th MEU STATUS:  Atlantic (Training) <COMPTUEX> ·         NO UPDATES USS Wasp ARG LHD-1 – USS Wasp STATUS:  Atlantic (Training) ·         NO UPDATES   TASK FORCES   CONTINUING PROMISE 2015 T-AH-20 – USNS Comfort STATUS: Caribbean (Multi-National Humanitarian Outreach) ·          (Sep 25) @ Mayport; USN hospital ship arrives at homeport, CP-15 ends (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91241) ·         (Sep 19) @ Haiti; USN hospital ship departs Port Au Prince following humanitarian visit (http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91191) SOUTHERN PARTNERSHIP 2015 JHSV-1 – USNS Spearhead STATUS:  Caribbean (Multinational Training Outreach) ·         NO UPDATES Other USS Ford (CVN-78) ·         (Sept 22) USN carrier delivery is delayed by 6-8 weeks, additional tests needed before starting sea trials (http://www.defensenews.com/story/breaking-news/2015/09/22/carrier-gerald-ford-delays-shipbuilding-newport-news-huntington-ingalls-navy-kent-mccain-construction/72640540/)

MAJOR REGIONAL NAVAL ACTIVITIES EU OPERATION ATALANTA Commander, Spain Flagship: SPS Galicia (LPD)  STATUS: INDIAN OCEAN <ACTIVE> ·          (Sep 23) @ Indian Ocean; Spanish landing ship meets SPS Meteoro off coast of Somalia, will assume command of Operation Atalanta (http://navaltoday.com/2015/09/25/esps-galicia-esps-meteoro-meet-at-sea/) NATO SNMG-1 Commander, Portugal Flagship: NRP D.F. De Almeida STATUS: North Sea <ACTIVE> ·         NO UPDATES SNMG-2 Commander, Germany Flagship: FGS Hamburg   STATUS: ATLANTIC <ACTIVE> ·         (Sep 23) @ Mediterranean; SNMG-2 completes NATO exercise DYNAMIC MANTA 15 (http://www.mc.nato.int/PressReleases/Pages/Standing-NATO-Maritime-Group-TWO-finishes-participation-in-Exercise-DYNAMIC-MANTA.aspx) SNMCMG-1 Commander, Netherlands Flagship: BNS Godetia STATUS: North Sea <ACTIVE> ·         NO UPDATES SNMCMG-2 Commander, Turkey Flagship: TCG S. M. Pasa   STATUS: MEDITERRANEAN <ACTIVE> ·         NO UPDATES UN CTF-150 Commander, Pakistan   STATUS: INDIAN OCEAN <ACTIVE> ·          (Sep 23) @ Bahrain; CTF Commander visits HMAS Melbourne (Frigate) while at port in Bahrain (http://combinedmaritimeforces.com/2015/09/23/commander-ctf-150-visits-hmas-melbourne/) CTF-151 Commander, Turkey Flagship: TCG Gemlik (Frigate) STATUS: ARABIAN SEA <ACTIVE> ·         NO UPDATES CTF-152 Commander, Kuwait   STATUS: ARABIAN GULF <ACTIVE> ·         NO UPDATES TASK FORCES INDIAN WEST FLEET TASK FORCE INS Deepak (Supply) INS Delhi (Destroyer) INS Tabar (Frigate) INS Trishul (Frigate) STATUS: Arabian Gulf <1-Month Gulf Tour> ·         (Sep 19-22) @ Oman; TF visits Muscat (http://www.indiannavy.nic.in/press-release/warships-visit-oman) OTHER ITS Garibaldi (Carrier) ·         (Sep 17) @ Italy; Italy assumes rotational command of EUROMARFOR aboard carrier ITS Garibaldi at port in Taranto (http://www.difesa.it/EN/Primo_Piano/Pagine/barb.aspx)

AIR-GROUND OPERATIONS   CHINA NO UPDATES ·         NO UPDATES FRANCE   Op. Chammal: IRAQ-JORDAN-SYRIA ·         (Sep 24) 17-air recon missions conducted over Iraq and Syria, and 10-strike missions were conducted at Mosul and Baiji; training of CITT continues (http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/point-de-situation-des-operations-au-24-septembre-2015) Op. LIZA: MALI-NIGER-CHAD ·         (Sep 24) KONAMA 6 Operation ends Sep 20 at El Salvador, Niger; Survey operations continue (http://www.defense.gouv.fr/operations/actualites/point-de-situation-des-operations-au-24-septembre-2015) RUSSIA RUSSIA ·          NO UPDATES SYRIA ·         (Sep 25) @ Syria; Chinese carrier arrives unannounced at Tartus with destroyer, airwing will be flown in with 1,000 Marines to join Russia in combat (http://www.debka.com/article/24909/A-Chinese-aircraft-carrier-docks-at-Tartus-to-support-Russian-Iranian-military-buildup-) ·          (Sep 24) @ Aleppo; Russian marines, with Hezbollah and Syrian army units, attack ISIS forces at Kweiris AB, east of city, in bid to re-secure strategic facilities and break rebel siege of Aleppo (http://www.debka.com/article/24902/Russian-marines-join-Hizballah-in-first-Syrian-battle-%E2%80%93-a-danger-signal-for-US-Israel?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook) ·         (Sep 19) Russian AF SU-27’s arrive in Syria, may include SU-25 attack fighters as well UKRAINE ·         (Sep 27) Ukraine is considering replacing it’s navy, since the capture of Crimea by Russia only 1-significant ship remains (Frigate Hetman Sahaydachniy) but budget problems restrict it to just buying gunboats and corvettes (http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/27/russia-stole-ukraines-old-navy-now-ukraine-needs-a.aspx) UNITED KINGDOM NO UPDATES ·         (Sep 20) British army considering to upgrade or replace it’s Challenger 2 MBT, prompted by the unveiling of Russia’s new T-14 Armata in May, suggesting that the Challenger’s 120mm gun may be obsolete against the new Armata design (http://www.janes.com/article/54672/dsei-2015-british-army-considers-new-mbt-in-response-to-russia-s-armata) UNITED STATES CENTCOM: AFGHANISTAN ·         (Sep 22) 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division – KIA @ Bagram; supporting “Operation Freedom Sentinel” (http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/618154/dod-identifies-army-casualty) CENTCOM: IRAQ / SYRIA ·         (Sep 27) Iraqi Army stalemate at Ramadi brings US strategy in question, but planning to retake city (video) (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/09/27/iraq-stalemate-in-ramadi-raises-doubts-about-us-strategy/) CENTCOM: KUWAIT ·         (Sep 24) US Army announces rotation, US 2nd Armored Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, will rotate 4,000-troops to Kuwait for 9-month rotation (http://www.defense.gov/News/News-Releases/News-Release-View/Article/620443/department-of-army-announces-upcoming-rotational-deployment)