Cold War, The Reimagined Series

[BansheeOne]

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Press Release - U.S. Army Europe and Africa to retain six sites, transfer one to U.S. Air Force

Aug. 6, 2021

WIESBADEN, Germany —

U.S. Army in Europe and Africa will retain six sites previously scheduled to be returned to the German and Belgian governments due to growing requirements in the European theater. Additionally, one site will transfer to the U.S. Air Force.

In Germany, this includes Barton Barracks, Ansbach; Pulaski Barracks, Kaiserslautern; Coleman Barracks, Mannheim; Husterhoeh Kaserne, Pirmasens; Weilimdorf Warehouse, Stuttgart and Amelia Earhart Center, Wiesbaden. In Belgium, this includes Daumerie Caserne, Benelux.

Coleman Barracks was announced for closure in 2010, and the other sites were announced during the Department of Defense’s European Infrastructure Consolidation in 2015.

The European Infrastructure Consolidation reversal process is governed by established Department of Defense process and is continually assessed.

In 2018, the Department of Defense required a reassessment of the remaining sites in Europe by U.S. Army Europe and Africa and Installation Management Command-Europe. Through this assessment it was found the sites should be retained as the requirements in growth are outpacing facility construction and renovation.

[...] 

https://www.europeafrica.army.mil/ArticleViewPressRelease/Article/2722074/

Husterhöh is in my old boss' district. Most of the original property was already returned to Germany in 1997 and turned into a commercial park, a campus of Technical University Kaiserslautern and a soccer stadium. The former POMCUS site is used as a Bundeswehr depot today; part of that was also slated for civilian conversion, but in fact handed back to the US earlier this year.

The remaining American facility was the US Army Medical Materiel Center Europe, which I guess is getting consolidated into the new regional medical center east of Ramstein AB replacing Landstuhl. Makes sense to transfer it to the USAF for greater storage capabilities for the airbase. Though a lot of locals who wanted the property for economic expansion of the municipality are going to be pissed. 

[JasonJ]

China and Russia launched a large-scale strategic military exercise in Northwest China on Monday, the first joint drill with another country hosted by China since the COVID-19 outbreak, with the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) dispatching advanced weapons and equipment, including J-20 stealth fighter jets and Y-20 large transport planes, which were the highlight of the opening ceremony.

...

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202108/1231004.shtml

https://m.weibo.cn/detail/4668316737603397#&video

[Nobu]

On 8/6/2021 at 8:34 AM, glenn239 said:

Probably just standard operating procedure.

Ramius might be trying to defect.

Edited August 10, 2021 by Nobu

[Stuart Galbraith]

Apparently the Oscar got caught up in Fishing Nets.

The Sniffer flights are still ongoing. Im wondering if the Russians might be about to test that silly nuclear powered cruise missile again.

[JasonJ]

French frigate just off the west coast of Taiwan.

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TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Coast Guard Administration (CGA) on Thursday (Aug. 12) confirmed reports that a French warship had anchored just off the coast of western Taiwan.

At 6:28 p.m. on Wednesday (Aug. 11), naval enthusiast Facebook page New27Brigade (新‧二七部隊 軍事雜談) cited ship-tracking website MarineTraffic as reporting that a French frigate, believed to be the FS Provence (D-652), was located just off the coast of Fangyuan Township in Changhua County. The post stated that there had not been any known French naval movements in the Asia-Pacific region recently, and although the page's owner claimed MarineTraffic had verified the vessel is a military ship, it could not confirm that it was indeed the Provence.

According to MarineTraffic, the ship was located at 24°00'10.9"N 120°16'24.7"E, directly opposite the Fangyuan Lighthouse, in Fangyuan Township and southwest of the Changhua Binhai Industrial Zone. When asked to comment on the veracity of the ship's presence, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) sent a statement to Taiwan News in which it claimed it "has complete awareness of the situation in the air and surrounding waters" and that the situation is "normal."

On Thursday afternoon, CNA cited a CGA official as confirming that a French warship was anchored off the coast of Fangyuan Township. The official added that the CGA had dispatched a cutter to the scene to investigate.

When asked to comment on the matter, the CGA told Taiwan News that it is coordinating with the MND on closely monitoring the process and has effectively ascertained the situation. At the same time, it stated that it will respond to the situation in accordance with regulations and undertake measures that ensure the safety of the waters around Taiwan, calling on the public to "please rest easy."

MarineTraffic lists the warship's Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number as 999999998. According to ship-tracking service FleetMon, 999999998 is the MMSI for the FS Provence, an Aquitaine-class frigate of the French Navy that was commissioned in 2015.

France's de facto embassy in Taiwan, the French Office in Taipei, has not yet responded to requests for comment.

 

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4268924

[Stuart Galbraith]

Far, far away from anyone be likely to be irradiated. 

[glenn239]

Saudis and Russia sign military cooperation deal,

Saudis Sign Military Cooperation Agreement With Russia (rferl.org)

 

Erdogan's answer to US threats on S-400 and sanctions,

Russia says Turkey could sign new S-400 missile contract soon - Ifax | Reuters

[Stuart Galbraith]

BATUS is closed.

 

[Stuart Galbraith]

On that last one, there has been backtracking by the MOD. Its not closed, its been closed for a few months, presumably whilst they upgrade some equipment.  So I guess we will see if it reopens.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/china-will-soon-surpass-russia-as-a-nuclear-threat-e2-80-93senior-us-military-official/ar-AANOPmT?ocid=BingNewsSearch

 

WASHINGTON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - China, in the midst of a rapid nuclear weapons buildup, will soon surpass Russia as the United States' top nuclear threat, a senior U.S. military official said on Friday, warning that the two countries have no mechanisms to avert miscommunication.

U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Thomas Bussiere, the deputy commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, which oversees the country's nuclear arsenal, said China's development of nuclear capabilities "can no longer be aligned" with its public claim that it wants to maintain a minimum nuclear deterrent.

"There's going to be a point, a crossover point, where the number of threats presented by China will exceed the number of threats that currently Russia presents," Bussiere told an online forum.

He said the determination would not be based solely on the number of Beijing's stockpiled nuclear warheads, but also on how they are "operationally fielded."

"There will be a crossover point, we believe, in the next few years," Bussiere said.

Unlike with Russia, the United States did not have any treaties or dialog mechanism with China on the issue to "alleviate any misperceptions or confusion," he added.

[Stuart Galbraith]

S400s arrive in Belarus. The trick will be to learn if they leave again.

 

[Roman Alymov]

2 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

S400s arrive in Belarus. The trick will be to learn if they leave again.

 

Why they have to leave Belarus, part of Union State with Russia, while Turkey (NATO member) is to get second S-400 regiment?

[Stuart Galbraith]

Because Turkey actually owns the missiles. If Russia maintains a base in Belarus by contrast, it makes it all the easier to annex the country at a later date. For example, Sevastapol.

[Roman Alymov]

43 minutes ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

Because Turkey actually owns the missiles. If Russia maintains a base in Belarus by contrast, it makes it all the easier to annex the country at a later date. For example, Sevastapol.

How could one part of the state annex another part of the same state? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_State    Now, when Lukashenko’s ability to play “milk two cows” game is strongly limited by his reaction on unwise Western meddling into Belorussian elections process, it is only question of time for us to see more integration. More over, we can’t completely rule out Lukashenko becoming President of Russia.

[sunday]

1 minute ago, Roman Alymov said:

How could one part of the state annex another part of the same state? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_State    Now, when Lukashenko’s ability to play “milk two cows” game is strongly limited by his reaction on unwise Western meddling into Belorussian elections process, it is only question of time for us to see more integration. More over, we can’t completely rule out Lukashenko becoming President of Russia.

From the wikipedia link you posted, and thus endorsed:
 

Quote

The Union State was originally aimed at uniting both countries, and as such, the Union State in its planned final form would be structured similarly to confederations or political unions. However, both countries still preserve their independence currently.

So Belarus and Russia are not parts of the same state, but independent states in their own.

[Stuart Galbraith]

15 minutes ago, Roman Alymov said:

How could one part of the state annex another part of the same state? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_State    Now, when Lukashenko’s ability to play “milk two cows” game is strongly limited by his reaction on unwise Western meddling into Belorussian elections process, it is only question of time for us to see more integration. More over, we can’t completely rule out Lukashenko becoming President of Russia.

Oh I see, a piece of paper is suddenly sacrosanct now. So why don't you respect Ukrainian independence, having signed 3 times to that effect?  

That said, Belarus is clearly of declining independence, as Lukashenkos own importance itself declines. The only question left is how and when Putin does it. But when he does it, he will blame Joe Biden, NATO and the Stay Puft man, whatever it takes. The rest is details.

[Roman Alymov]

18 minutes ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

Oh I see, a piece of paper is suddenly sacrosanct now. So why don't you respect Ukrainian independence, having signed 3 times to that effect?  

 

It is your take. My take is that in case of Belorussia, its inability to stay separated from Russia, combined with Belorussian political elite being more vise and prudent then Ukrainian one (and, probably, more vise and prudent than Russian one) resulted in reintegration decision taken only 8 years after separation. Of course, Lukashenko wanted this reintegration to be on his conditions (probably, even with him becoming the leader of this united state – it was quite possible in late 1990^th-early 2000^th)  - but seems like he overestimated his ability to play both Russia and West at the same time, so we see the result. In Ukraine, there were far more assets to loot left after USSR, so it took longer.

By the way https://www.intellinews.com/lukashenko-beats-merkel-as-the-most-popular-foreign-politician-in-ukraine-156634/

https://www.rt.com/russia/514507-ukrainians-lukashenko-poll-reveal/

[Stuart Galbraith]

If that had been me, id have flogged the lot on Ebay. Buyer collects, natch.

[RETAC21]

4 hours ago, Stuart Galbraith said:

If that had been me, id have flogged the lot on Ebay. Buyer collects, natch.

Reminds me of the time a couple of mates got lost and thought about going for dinner at home, with their vehicle, equipment and weapons....

Or the one time I could have made off with a truck (which wasn't my company's and for which no one had bothered to ask my name or sign it off....)

Or the trip in a military ambulance through a red light district...

Oh the happy times,...

[Stuart Galbraith]

There is a story about one private that nicked a Chieftain AVRE, which he promptly drove home to show to his  mum. Aw....

This is the first time in heard of a battery of 152mm howitzers being mislaid though. You have to wonder how much goes missing for good. 

 

Edited September 12, 2021 by Stuart Galbraith

[BansheeOne]

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ZAPAD-2021: WHAT TO EXPECT FROM RUSSIA’S STRATEGIC MILITARY EXERCISE

MICHAEL KOFMAN

SEPTEMBER 8, 2021

COMMENTARY

Zapad-2021 is not just approaching. It’s already here. Zapad, meaning “west,” is Russia’s Strategic Command’s-Staff Exercise, scheduled for Sept. 10–16. This exercise focuses on Russia’s Western Military District and Belarus and includes areas under the Northern Fleet’s Joint Strategic Command. Strategic exercises of this type are capstone training events for the Russian military and rotate every year (since 2009) between zapad (west), vostok (east), tsentr (center), and Kavkaz (Caucasus). Consequently, Zapad takes place every four years. Each exercise focuses on one of these strategic directions and is led by that military district’s Joint Strategic Command. Zapad intermingles military training for regional or large-scale war, demonstrations of capability, and political signaling.

Annual strategic exercises such as Zapad allow the Russian General Staff to further develop operational concepts, test Russian military and civilian integration, experiment with force structure, reserve mobilization, or logistical elements. Over the years, Zapad has become more routinized, but it remains an important demonstration of military power aimed at helping maintain coercive credibility vis-a-vis Washington. Even though the Russian military sees itself as relatively inferior in a regional or large-scale war with NATO, Zapad is meant to convey the potential costs and escalation risks of such a conflict. This year’s exercise will also illustrate Russia’s ability to defend its interests in Belarus and deploy substantial military power onto the country’s territory.

[...]

What Happens on Z-Day?

The exercise scenario involves an opposing “Western” coalition against a joint Russian-Belarusian force. The simulated opponents normally include neighboring NATO member states backed by the United States. In 2017, the adversaries in the exercise — called Veyshnoriya, Lubenia, and Vesbaria and intended to represent Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland — were seeking to partition Belarus and annex its northwestern regions.

Belarusian official sources have offered a glimpse of the scenario for 2021: As the military and political situation in Europe deteriorates, Western states turn their attention to Belarus and having failed to destabilize Belarus via non-military means, this Western coalition decides to use force to achieve its political aims. The Russian-Belarusian Northern coalition must compel this Western group to terminate hostilities on acceptable terms. This year, the Western coalition comprises states called Nyaris, Pomoria, and the Polar Republic along with so-called terrorist organizations. This is an interesting development. While Nyaris appears to represent Lithuania and Pomoria is probably a stand-in for Poland, the Polar Republic is likely intended to represent Norway or another Scandinavian state, heralding a significant role in Zapad-2021 for Russia’s Northern Fleet Joint Strategic Command. Zapad-2021 will be held across Belarus at five training ranges in Brest, Baranovichi, Domanovsky, Obuz-Lesnovsky, Ruzhanskiy, and the region surrounding Grodno. Many of these ranges are in western Belarus, near the border with Poland and Lithuania. Another nine training ranges in Russia will be involved, and the Northern Fleet also will have an important part to play during this exercise.

[...] 

https://warontherocks.com/2021/09/zapad-2021-what-to-expect-from-russias-strategic-military-exercise/

[JasonJ]

JS Yugiri conducted joint-training with ITS Federico Martinengo in the Gulf of Aden on September 14th.

https://www.mod.go.jp/js/Press/press2021/press_pdf/p20210916_02.pdf

[futon]

The new Cold War.

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The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force on Wednesday started nationwide exercises involving all units for the first time in about 30 years in an attempt to boost deterrence and strengthen its capabilities amid China's ramped-up regional assertiveness.

The GDSF drills, including transporting necessary supplies and testing communication systems, will be carried out until the end of November across the country, with an aim to strengthen the ability to defend remote islands.

The GSDF last conducted exercises on this scale in 1993 after the Cold War ended. Around 100,000 personnel, 20,000 vehicles and 120 aircraft will join the drills, which will also involve Japan's Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces as well as a U.S. Army landing ship.

A total of 12,000 personnel and 3,900 vehicles from two GSDF divisions based on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido and in the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan as well as a brigade in western Japan's Shikoku region will start an expeditionary mission to the Kyushu region in southwestern Japan next week.

The troops will carry defense equipment during the mission, including tanks, to several training grounds in Kyushu via road and sea. Private trucks, ferries and railways will also be used in the exercise.

A GSDF official in charge of the drills said the exercises are based on the 2019 National Defense Program Guidelines, which call for strengthening defense capabilities to help safeguard the Nansei Islands, including Japan-administered, Beijing-claimed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

"In order to respond effectively to various situations, including attacks on the islands, it is essential that the necessary forces are deployed quickly and extensively, depending on the situation," Japan's Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi has said on the drills.

"In an increasingly uncertain security environment, the focus of our work will be on operational readiness," the GSDF official said, with China's rapid military buildup in mind.

 

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/09/fb0d69ab3fff-japan-ground-troops-begin-nationwide-drills-for-1st-time-in-30-years.html

 

[BansheeOne]

Quote

Date 16.10.2021

US disputes Russian statement on naval interaction

Russia said it chased away a US warship that tried to violate Russian territorial waters. The US said the Russian description of the interaction in the Sea of Japan was false.

Russia's Defense Ministry said Friday that a Russian warship chased away a US Navy destroyer that attempted to break into its territorial waters in the Sea of Japan.

But the US Pacific Fleet said the statement "about the interaction between our two Navy ships is false."

Washington added that the USS Chafee, a guided-missile destroyer, "conducted operations in accordance with international law and custom" at all times.

Russia and China are jointly conducting naval drills in the Sea of Japan from 14 until 17 October. The incident occurred during the second day of the naval exercise.

What did Russia say? 

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement the crew of the Admiral Tributs, a Russian anti-submarine vessel, had earlier radioed a warning to the US warship, saying that it was in "an area closed to the navigation due to exercises with artillery fire."

It added in the statement that the US destroyer failed to change course and instead raised flags from its deck, indicating it could not turn or change speed.

Russia said that since the US warship didn't change course, "acting within the framework of the international rules of navigation, the Admiral Tributs set a course for ousting the intruder from Russian territorial waters."

The USS Chafee eventually changed course when the two vessels were less than 60 meters apart, the Russian statement said.

The incident lasted for about 50 minutes, according to Russian defense officials. 

RIA, a Russian-state news agency, said the Russian Defense Ministry summoned the US military attache to emphasize the "unprofessional actions" of the US destroyer's crew. 

The report added that the US crew "had rudely violated international laws on the prevention of collisions of vessels at sea."

What did the US say?

The US Pacific Fleet said its warship was conducting routine operations in "international waters in the Sea of Japan" when a Russian destroyer came "within 65 yards (60 meters) of USS Chafee while the ship was preparing for flight operations."

The US military said all interactions were safe and professional.

The US acknowledged that the Russians had issued a notice, but added that it was issued "for later in the day" and was not "in effect at the time of the interaction."

[...]

https://www.dw.com/en/us-disputes-russian-statement-on-naval-interaction/a-59523936

[BansheeOne]

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Russia suspends its mission to NATO

4h ago

The Kremlin is also closing the alliance's liaison mission in Moscow. The announcement comes after NATO expelled eight members of the Russian mission to the military alliance.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that his country is suspending its mission to NATO.

What did Lavrov say?

He said the move was a response to the expulsion of eight Russian staff at the military alliance's mission last week. NATO said the individuals expelled were in fact "undeclared Russian intelligence officers." The expulsions meant that half of the Moscow team were prohibited from working at NATO's Brussels headquarters.

"As a result of NATO's deliberate moves, we have practically no conditions for elementary diplomatic work and in response to NATO's actions we suspend the work of our permanent mission to NATO, including the work of the chief military envoy," said the foreign minister.

Lavrov, who complained that "NATO is neither interested in an equal dialogue nor in cooperation," said staff at Russia's NATO military mission in Moscow would also be stripped of their accreditation from November 1. If needed, he said, NATO could interact with Russia via its embassy in Brussels, Russian news agencies reported.

In response to the Monday announcement, a NATO spokesperson said: "We have taken note of Minister Lavrov's comments to the media, however, we have not received any official communication on the issues he raised."

[...] 

https://m.dw.com/en/russia-suspends-its-mission-to-nato/a-59523989

[Stuart Galbraith]

Probably means we expelled the right spies.