#secretary Lloyd J. Austin III

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

President Joe Biden ordered the action on Wednesday, but it was delayed until the balloon was over water off the coast of South Carolina to ensure no Americans on the ground were harmed.

"The balloon, which was being used by the PRC in an attempt to surveil strategic sites in the continental United States, was brought down above U.S. territorial waters," Austin said.

The action was taken in coordination and support of the Canadian government. "We thank Canada for its contribution to tracking and analysis of the balloon through [North American Aerospace Defense Command] as it transited North America," Austin said. "Today's deliberate and lawful action demonstrates that President Biden and his national security team will always put the safety and security of the American people first while responding effectively to the PRC's unacceptable violation of our sovereignty," Austin said referring to the Peoples Republic of China.

U.S. officials first detected the balloon and its payload on January 28 when it entered U.S. airspace near the Aleutian Islands. The balloon traversed Alaska, Canada and re-entered U.S. airspace over Idaho. "President Biden asked the military to present options and on Wednesday President Biden gave his authorization to take down the Chinese surveillance balloon as soon as the mission could be accomplished without undue risk to us civilians under the balloon's path," said a senior defense official speaking on background. "Military commanders determined that there was undue risk of debris causing harm to civilians while the balloon was overland."

An F-22 Raptor fighter from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, fired one AIM-9X Sidewinder missile at the balloon.

The balloon fell approximately six miles off the coast in about 47 feet of water. No one was hurt.

Long before the shoot down, U.S. officials took steps to protect against the balloon's collection of sensitive information, mitigating its intelligence value to the Chinese. The senior defense official said the recovery of the balloon will enable U.S. analysts to examine sensitive Chinese equipment. "I would also note that while we took all necessary steps to protect against the PRC surveillance balloon's collection of sensitive information, the surveillance balloon's overflight of U.S. territory was of intelligence value to us," the official said. "I can't go into more detail, but we were able to study and scrutinize the balloon and its equipment, which has been valuable."

The balloon did not pose a military or physical threat. Still its intrusion into American airspace over several days was an unacceptable violation of U.S. sovereignty. The official said Chinese balloons briefly transited the continental United States at least three times during the prior administration.

While Chinese officials admitted that the balloon was theirs, they said it was a runaway weather balloon. "The PRC has claimed publicly that the high-altitude balloon operating above the United States is a weather balloon that was blown off course. This is false," the official said. "This was a PRC surveillance balloon. This surveillance balloon purposely traversed the United States and Canada, and we are confident it was seeking to monitor sensitive military sites."

The mission now transitions to one of recovery. There are a number of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard vessels establishing a security perimeter around the area where the balloon came to Earth. They are searching for debris, said a senior military official also speaking on background.

There is no estimate for how long the recovery mission will take, the military official said, but the fact that it came down in such a shallow area should make recovery "fairly easy".

The military official gave some detail of the engagement. The F-22 fired the Sidewinder at the balloon from an altitude of 58,000 feet. The balloon at the time was between 60,000 and 65,000 feet.

F-15 Eagles flying from Barnes Air National Guard Base, Massachusetts, supported the F-22, as did tankers from multiple states including Oregon, Montana, South Carolina and North Carolina. Canadian forces also helped track the overflight of the balloon.

The Navy has deployed the destroyer USS Oscar Austin, the cruiser USS Philippine Sea and the USS Carter Hall, an amphibious landing ship in support of the effort.

[zvaigzdelasas]

[Defense.gov is US DOD]

Today, at President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted self-defense strikes on two facilities in eastern Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups. These precision self-defense strikes are a response to a series of ongoing and mostly unsuccessful attacks against U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-backed militia groups that began on October 17. As a result of these attacks, one U.S. citizen contractor died from a cardiac incident while sheltering in place; 21 U.S. personnel suffered from minor injuries, but all have since returned to duty. The President has no higher priority than the safety of U.S. personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will not tolerate such attacks and will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests. The United States does not seek conflict and has no intention nor desire to engage in further hostilities, but these Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces are unacceptable and must stop. Iran wants to hide its hand and deny its role in these attacks against our forces. We will not let them. If attacks by Iran’s proxies against U.S. forces continue, we will not hesitate to take further necessary measures to protect our people. These narrowly tailored strikes in self-defense were intended solely to protect and defend U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria. They are separate and distinct from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, and do not constitute a shift in our approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. We continue to urge all state and non-state entities not to take action that would escalate into a broader regional conflict. [sic]

26 Oct 23

[dogsuffrage]

This is actually a huge shift that I'm very happy to see and might actually deter Israel in some way, we hope. Biden is still a Zionist through and through but unfortunately only progressives are anti-Zionists and not even all of them.

Full article under cut.

President Biden said on Wednesday that he had told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel that the United States would halt shipments of some weapons if the Israeli military invaded Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip, using his strongest public language to date in his quest to deter a full-scale Israeli assault on the refugee-packed city.

“If they go into Rafah, I’m not going to be supplying the weapons that have been used historically to deal with Rafah, to deal with the cities, to deal with that problem,” Mr. Biden said in an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett on Wednesday.

The interview was broadcast hours after Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III acknowledged publicly that Mr. Biden’s decision last week to hold up delivery of thousands of heavy bombs was linked to Israel’s plans for a large offensive in Rafah, one of Hamas’s last bastions in Gaza, where more than a million Palestinians have taken refuge.

Israel and Hamas have been at war in Gaza since Oct. 7, when Hamas launched a devastating raid on Israel that left some 1,200 people dead, according to Israeli authorities. Mr. Biden has since struggled to both support Israel in the war on Hamas, and to press to limit civilian casualties. More than 34,000 people have been killed in Gaza, many of them women and children, according to the territory’s health authorities, and Mr. Biden’s pressure on Israel has grown as the numbers have risen.

But in recent days, Israel ordered the evacuation of 110,000 civilians in Rafah, conducted airstrikes against targets on the edges of the city, sent in tanks and seized the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

In the interview, Mr. Biden also acknowledged in a way that he has rarely done that American bombs have killed innocent Palestinians. “Civilians have been killed in Gaza as a consequence of those bombs and other ways in which they go after population centers,” Mr. Biden said.

The president has objected to Israel’s planned Rafah operation out of fear that widespread civilian casualties could be caused by American bombs. He said on Wednesday that he would also block the delivery of artillery shells that could be fired into the urban neighborhoods of Rafah.

“I’ve made it clear to Bibi and the war cabinet, they’re not going to get our support if in fact they go on these population centers,” the president said, referring to Mr. Netanyahu by his nickname.

In the CNN interview, Mr. Biden said that he had warned Mr. Netanyahu against sending the Israeli military into civilian areas of Rafah. “It’s just wrong,” Mr. Biden said. “We’re not going to supply the weapons and artillery shells. I’ve made it clear to Bibi and the war cabinet that they’re not going to get our support if in fact they go into these population centers.”

— Reid J. Epstein reporting from Washington

[usafphantom2]

More U.S. Combat Aircraft Heading To Middle East Ahead Of Expected Iranian Attack On Israel (Updated)

Iran has vowed to attack Israel to avenge the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated Wednesday in Tehran.

Posted on Aug 2, 2024 3:22 PM EDT

F-16 Iran Middle East

USAF

The U.S. will send additional combat aircraft to the Middle East ahead of what is anticipated to be a large-scale attack by Iran and its proxies against Israel in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Thursday, but just how long that may take in the face of what is said to be a looming Iranian military operation is unclear.

“How many planes to send is still being worked out, as are final approvals from senior officials including Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III,” The New York Times reported. “Officials said they were seeking to calibrate the American response to send enough of the right types of aircraft as quickly as possible to help defend Israel without appearing to escalate the conflict.”

Friday afternoon, the Pentagon confirmed that it was sending additional assets to the Middle East and Europe. See our update at the bottom of this story.

A U.S. defense official confirmed to The War Zone that additional aircraft are being considered as part of an effort to protect U.S. and allied personnel.

“U.S. forces in the region are taking necessary measures to increase readiness and force protection,” the official said.

An F-15E Strike Eagle deployed from the 335th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from North Carolina’s Seymour Johnson Air Force Base takes off during Sky Shield 9 from an undisclosed location within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, July 15, 2024. U.S. Air Force photo by 1st Lt. Peyton Craven

The Pentagon on Friday said there will be additional force protection measures in the region, but would not specify what those would be or when they will arrive.

In a conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Friday, Austin promised the U.S. would support Israel in defending against looming threats from regional adversaries.

“The Secretary reiterated ironclad support for Israel’s security and informed the Minister of additional measures to include ongoing and future defensive force posture changes that the department will take to support the defense of Israel,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters, including from The War Zone.

Austin “highlighted that further escalation is not inevitable and that all countries in the region would benefit from a de-escalation in tensions, including through completing a Gaza cease-fire and hostage relief deal. He also stressed that the unprecedented scale of U.S. support for Israel since October 7 should leave Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups, with no doubt about U.S. resolve.”

Just how the U.S. will bolster its presence in the region appears to be something that is still in the works.

“I’m not going to get ahead of any decisions that the Secretary has not made yet,” Singh said when asked if Austin has determined what additional U.S. assets will head to the region. Singh declined to confirm that additional combat aircraft are being deployed.

On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden “reaffirmed his commitment to Israel’s security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthi,” according to a White House readout of his call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The president discussed efforts to support Israel’s defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments.”

The call came after the assassination of Haniyeh that Israel has yet to acknowledge as well as one it said it carried out Tuesday on Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shakr in Beirut. That attack prompted Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, to also vow vengeance on Israel.

A view is showing a partially destroyed building, which is being targeted by the Israeli army, in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 31, 2024. The Israeli army is also claiming that it is killing key Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah's top military commander, in the strike. (Photo by Fadel Itani/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A view is showing a partially destroyed building, which is being targeted by the Israeli army, in Beirut, Lebanon, on July 31, 2024. The Israeli army is also claiming that it killed key Fuad Shukr, Hezbollah’s top military commander, in the strike. Photo by Fadel Itani/NurPhoto via Getty Images

There is growing concern that the response from Iran and its proxies Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen could be far larger and more complex than Tehran’s previous attack on Israel. In April, Iran sent more than 300 drones and missiles toward Israel in retaliation for an Israeli strike on a consular building right next to the Iranian Embassy in Syria’s capital Damascus on April 1 that killed three top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders.

U.S. and allied weapons played a major role in ensuring what the Israeli Defense Forces said was the destruction of 99% of those aerial threats, most before they could enter Israeli airspace.

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles in particular were key to that effort. Forward-deployed F-15Es from units based at RAF Lakenheath in England and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina played an outsized role in shooting down more than 70 Iranian drones.

A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle breaks away from a KC-135 Stratotanker after receiving fuel during Joint Air Defense Exercise 19-01. The aircraft participated with regional partners to test objective-based command and control actions during the exercise Feb. 19, 2019. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clayton Cupit)

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles played a huge role in defending Israel against an Iranian attack in April, swatting down more than 70 drones. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Clayton Cupit Staff Sgt Clayton Cupit

In addition to boosting the presence of U.S. combat aircraft in the region, the Pentagon has also gathered more than a dozen warships there, including the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), a three-ship amphibious task force that includes more than 4,000 Marines and sailors, The Washington Post reported.

The Roosevelt strike group is in the Gulf of Oman at the moment while the Wasp ARG is in the eastern Mediterranean, where it is always stationed. Singh told reporters that like previous aircraft carrier strike groups, the Roosevelt could move around the region as needed.

The six Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyers said to be among those vessels have air defense systems that have already proven effective against missiles and drones launched by the Houthis in their ongoing campaign against Red Sea shipping.

Ships assigned to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower‘s carrier strike group (IKECSG) fired 155 Standard-series missiles in operations against Iranian-backed Houthi militants based in Yemen during a recently concluded nine-month deployment, officials said last month. Aircraft from the strike group launched another 60 air-to-air missiles in the course of their operations in and around the Red Sea. Collectively, the IKECSG used its various weapons to destroy a bevy of Houthi aerial drones, missiles, uncrewed surface vessels and undersea vehicles, and different kinds of targets ashore.

US Navy destroyers have fired around 100 Standard series surface-to-air missiles against Houthi missiles and drones since October, according to a recent report.

The Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Carney fires a surface-to-air missile at Houthi threats on October 19, 2023. U.S. Navy

During Iran’s April barrage on Israel, two ships in that class – the Arleigh Burke and the Carney – downed Iranian ballistic missiles with Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) anti-missile interceptors. That marked the first combat use of those weapons. You can read more about that in our initial report here.

The success of those engagements prompted Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro to ask Congress for additional funding to purchase more.

“I truly believe that the SM-3s will be needed in greater numbers in the future, given the operations that took place in defense of Israel,” Del Toro testified during a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing in May. “Recently, some were fired. And very effectively. So I think given the future threat and our deterrence mission of the Indo-Pacific, we are going to need more SM-3s in the future.”

When it comes to projecting combat airpower in the Middle East, the Pentagon has several options, including sending long-range bombers from the U.S. as both a deterrence and contingency measure. In February, two B1-B Lancer bombers from Dyess Air Force Base took part in aerial strikes on Iranian-backed militias and IRGC-related targets in Syria and Iraq in retaliation for a drone attack that killed three U.S. soldiers in Jordan on Jan. 28.

There are several bases in the region hosting U.S. aircraft like Prince Sultan Air Base (PSAB) in Saudi Arabia and Al-Dafrah in the UAE, among others. USAF F-16C/Ds from Aviano Air Base in Italy are forward deployed to the region and have been flying in air-defense configurations.

F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers are embarked aboard the Roosevelt. Getting additional fighter aircraft to the region, like Strike Eagles forward from Lakenheath, could take as long as two days, however. That, of course, is after the White House approves the plan.

While the Pentagon is in the process of preparing for a major Iranian-led operation against Israel, time may not be on its side. Iran could kick things off at any movement and moving fighter aircraft and other assets to the Middle East takes time, no matter how on alert units are to carry out their orders. There clearly is a race against the clock underway here that is being informed by intelligence products the U.S. and its allies are working from. Iran could exploit this reality, but time will only tell to what end.

Update: 6:01 PM Eastern –

Singh released a statement confirming additional assets will be heading to the Middle East:

“The Department of Defense continues to take steps to mitigate the possibility of regional escalation by Iran or Iran’s partners and proxies. Since the horrific Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, the Secretary of Defense has reiterated that the United States will protect our personnel and interests in the region, including our ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel.

To that end, Secretary Austin has ordered adjustments to U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies.

To maintain a carrier strike group presence in the Middle East, the Secretary has ordered the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, currently on deployment in the Central Command area of responsibility.

Additionally, Secretary Austin has ordered additional ballistic missile defense-capable cruisers and destroyers to the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command regions. The Department is also taking steps to increase our readiness to deploy additional land-based ballistic missile defense.

The Secretary has also ordered the deployment of an additional fighter squadron to the Middle East, reinforcing our defensive air support capability.

These posture adjustments add to the broad range of capabilities the U.S. military maintains in the region, including the USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group / Marine Expeditionary Unit (ARG/MEU) operating in the Eastern Mediterranean.

As we have demonstrated since October and again in April, the United States’ global defense is dynamic and the Department of Defense retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats. The United States also remains intently focused on de-escalating tensions in the region and pushing for a ceasefire as part of a hostage deal to bring the hostages home and end the war in Gaza.”

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com

[socialjusticeinamerica]

Racist RepubliKKKlan mother effers!

“Thanks to the GOP majority, the spending bill for the military has already been changed to prohibit the Pentagon from implementing climate-related policies from the White House, and removing funding for the Defense Department’s office of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

But as The New York Times noted, there was one other amendment that stood out as notable.

The Republican-led House voted on Wednesday to reduce the salary of Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III to $1, as right-wing lawmakers tried to transform a Pentagon spending bill and a series of other funding measures into weapons to take aim at President Biden, his agenda and his top officials.

To be sure, there’s no reason to believe the nation’s first Black defense secretary will have to work for an annual salary of $1, but as the Times’ report added, the measure, championed by Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, “reflected the intensity of the right-wing drive to make the military into a political issue.”

It also comes against a backdrop of a GOP effort to impeach Austin, though I’ve struggled to keep up with why, exactly, Republicans have made the cabinet secretary a target of such partisan ire.”

[darkmaga-retard]

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday "reiterated the United States' commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel" after the Jewish state bombed another school in Gaza and conducted yet another "unhelpful" assassination.

From Defense.gov, "Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant":

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today. Secretary Austin reiterated the United States' commitment to take every possible step to defend Israel and noted the strengthening of U.S. military force posture and capabilities throughout the Middle East in light of escalating regional tensions. Reinforcing this commitment, Secretary Austin has ordered the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, to accelerate its transit to the Central Command area of responsibility, adding to the capabilities already provided by the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT Carrier Strike Group. Additionally, the Secretary has ordered the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) guided missile submarine to the Central Command region.

From Al Jazeera, "US to provide $3.5bn more in military aid to Israel amid war on Gaza":

The United States will send an additional $3.5bn to Israel to spend on US-made weapons and military equipment, the Department of State has said, as the deadly war in Gaza continues into its 10th month and amid claims of widespread Israeli military abuses in the occupied Palestinian territory. [...] Part of the new financial aid will go to an Israeli military unit, which is accused of carrying out human rights abuses against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. The State Department said it had decided against sanctioning the unit – which would have been the first-ever blocking of aid to the Israeli military – saying it was satisfied with Israeli efforts to address “violations by this unit” which have been “effectively remediated”.

[vomitdodger]

So it looks like the 9-11 please deal is going to go thru after all. I don’t trust this story is 100% true as a fall guy is needed but the end will be the same.

[mightyflamethrower]

(America First Report)—Iran appears to be on the verge of attacking Israel directly. This will be the second time they have attacked this year following a series of drone and missile strikes on April 13. Rumors of war percolate as both sides have vowed to escalate beyond a single-day skirmish.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III communicated with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, to reaffirm U.S. backing for Israel as tensions escalate with Iran and its proxies, raising the specter of a broader regional conflict following ten months of fighting against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

During their conversation, Austin and Gallant discussed U.S. military positioning adjustments aimed at reinforcing defenses for U.S. troops in the region, supporting Israel’s defense, and deterring and defusing broader regional tensions, as per a statement from the Pentagon.

This discussion took place as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed a Cabinet meeting that Israel is already engaged in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its proxies.

Tensions in the region have reached unprecedented levels following the recent killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran. Both Iran and its allies have pointed fingers at Israel and threatened retaliation. Hamas has begun the process of selecting a new leader.

Netanyahu stated that Israel is prepared for any scenario. In a rare move, Jordan’s foreign minister traveled to Iran as part of diplomatic efforts, with the aim to quell the escalation.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken reportedly informed his counterparts on Sunday that Iran and Hezbollah might launch attacks against Israel as early as Monday, according to Axios.

Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), is expected to arrive in Israel on Monday to coordinate preparations for the anticipated attack, according to the Times of Israel.

President Biden is also set to convene with his national security team in the situation room on Monday to discuss the Middle East situation, as reported by Reuters.

In Israel, some have prepared bomb shelters, recalling Iran’s unprecedented direct military assault in April following a suspected Israeli strike that killed two Iranian generals. Israel claimed that nearly all the drones and ballistic and cruise missiles were intercepted.

“For years, Iran has been arming and financing terrorist organizations across the Middle East, including smuggling explosives into Israeli territory for terror attacks against civilians,” IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagar said in a statement. “The IDF and ISA have already thwarted numerous attacks in which Claymore type explosives were smuggled into the country’s territory. We are determined to continue acting against Iranian terrorism wherever it may be.”

The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 individuals. Israel’s ongoing counteroffensive has been brutal as they seek to completely eliminate Hamas, which has embedded itself among citizens of Gaza, using them as human shields.

The militant group Hezbollah and Israel have continued to exchange fire along the Lebanon border since the war began, with the intensity increasing in recent months. Hezbollah stated that its actions are intended to alleviate pressure on fellow Iran-backed ally Hamas.

[kick-the-clouds]

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III’s bold move is a masterstroke of justice. With a flick of his pen, Austin has put the death penalty back in play for a high-profile case. Finally, a leader with the guts to make tough decisions! The conservatives, with their endless bleating about "law and order," should be thrilled, right? Oh, wait—they’re probably too busy trying to turn back the clock to the 1950s.

President Biden’s administration, yet again, proves it’s not afraid to handle the hard stuff. This is a moment where decisive action meets real accountability. We’ve seen enough hand-wringing and dithering; it’s refreshing to witness someone taking control with the necessary firmness.

Critics from the right will undoubtedly squawk about overreach and excessive power. But let’s be real: they had no problem when their own leaders flexed executive muscle to suit their agendas. Now, when it’s about ensuring justice, they’re suddenly all about restraint. The hypocrisy is staggering.

In an era where conservative policies often seem like a race to the bottom, Austin’s assertive stance shines as a beacon of progressive leadership. This isn’t just about one case; it’s about showing that justice will be served, no matter what. Kudos to the Biden administration for stepping up where others have failed.

[karagin22]

Nothing says telling the enemy you are going to do than shit like this. A true military commander does not broadcast what he plans to do.

Austin is a failure of a general, and it shows.

[zvaigzdelasas]

A cool Atlantic breeze blew across the dusty port in Praia, Cape Verde’s capital, as Mr. Blinken noted that the facility there had been expanded and modernized with nearly $55 million in U.S. aid[...] That project was completed more than a decade ago, but more U.S. development funds were on the way, he said.[...]

After Cape Verde, Mr. Blinken will travel to Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Angola. U.S. officials said he would address a range of issues on his stops, including conflict prevention and political stability after military coups in several countries in recent years.[...]

Mr. Blinken is making his fourth visit to sub-Saharan Africa as secretary of state. A parade of other top administration officials have also visited the continent over the past year, including Vice President Kamala Harris, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and the first lady, Jill Biden. But President Biden has yet to follow through on a pledge he made in 2022 to visit the continent, raising doubts about the depth of his commitment — even though Mr. Biden said at a U.S.-Africa leaders summit in Washington in December 2022 that America was “all in” on Africa’s future.[...]

Frustrated by several downbeat questions about security threats and Chinese influence, [Molly Phee, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs,] added, “You guys are bumming me out because you’re not talking about any of the really fun and positive, forward-looking things we’ll be doing.”[...]

One reason [for US interest in Angola] is that the United States is investing $250 million in a rail corridor that would allow the transport of minerals from landlocked areas of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Lobito, Angola’s Atlantic port, from which they can be shipped to Europe and the United States. During Mr. Lourenço’s visit, Mr. Biden called the project “the biggest U.S. rail investment in Africa ever.” The corridor helps the United States keep pace with China, which has invested tens of billions of dollars in Angola.

China’s reach extends as far as Cape Verde, where Mr. Blinken’s motorcade drove to a government palace past signage in Chinese reflecting that the compound had been constructed by Beijing.

Oge Onubogu, the director of the Africa program at the Wilson Center in Washington, said that on recent trips to the continent she found confusion about the U.S. agenda there. Africans, she said, clearly understood Russia’s “at times sneaky” security interests, which often take the form of mercenary military partnerships with governments. And China’s economic development projects, she said, created “visible infrastructure that people can actually see and feel.” “But they’re not very clear on what the U.S. is doing,” she said. Biden officials have sought to promote African democracy and condemned military coups in places like Niger and Gabon, she said, while working with authoritarian rulers in other places. “The U.S. talks about democracy strengthening,” Ms. Onubogu added. “But at the same time, we maintain relationships with individuals Africans see as not being democratic leaders. So I think we have a struggle with messaging.” Despite public alarms raised by security analysts, Biden officials bristle at persistent questions about how the United States is countering China’s enormous investments in a continent that increasingly supplies it with oil, minerals and other natural resources. Mr. Blinken will be arriving in Ivory Coast days after a visit by China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi. “It’s you guys [sic], frankly, who frame this as a U.S.-China soccer match,” Ms. Phee told reporters last week. She added: “If China didn’t exist, we would be fully engaged in Africa [sic]. Africa is important for its own sake, and it’s important for American interests.”

22 Jan 24

[ultrajaphunter]

The DWIGHT D EISENHOWER CVN69 Carrier Strike Group is now headed to Central Command,

@SecDef Austin Announced Tonight 21 Oct, Rather than Joining up with The GERALD R FORD CVN78 CSG now in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Move is in Response to Recent Escalations by Iran and its Proxy Forces Across the Middle East Region.

The IKE Group, who Left the US East Coast 13/14 Oct, is Expected to Pass South Thru the Suez Canal to Operate in the Arabian Sea/Gulf of Oman/Persian Gulf Region.

A THAAD Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Battery

and Additional Patriot Battalions also are Being Deployed "throughout the Region to Increase Force Protection for US forces."

More Unspecified Forces have been Placed on "Prepare to Deploy Orders as Part of Prudent Contingency Planning."

https://defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3564874/statement-from-secretary-of-defense-lloyd-j-austin-iii-on-steps-to-increase-for/

[usafphantom2]

US launches dozens of retaliatory attacks in Iraq and Syria for deadly attack

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 02/03/2024 - 00:13in Military, War Zones

The U.S. launched dozens of airstrikes against the Quds Force of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran-aligned groups in Iraq and Syria on February 2, in retaliation after a drone attack killed three U.S. military personnel in Jordan earlier this week.

The January 28 attack on Tower 22, a small outpost in northeastern Jordan, also injured dozens of U.S. military personnel and marked a major escalation amid growing unrest in the Middle East.

Three U.S. soldiers were killed and more than 40 wounded in a drone attack on Tower 22 in Jordan.

Immediately after the attack, President Joe Biden said the U.S. would respond, but offered no details. Days later, the counterattacks began hours after Biden participated in a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Base, Delaware, when the remains of the three dead soldiers were returned to the United States.

President Joe Biden receives the Presidential Daily Briefing, January 29, 2024, in the Situation Room of the White House. (Photo: White House / Adam Schultz)

In a statement, the Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, said the attacks reached 85 targets in seven facilities. In a subsequent briefing with reporters, the spokesman of the National Security Council, John F. Kirby said that four of the facilities were in Syria and three in Iraq.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says in new statement that strikes tonight are “the start of our response” to the killing of three US soldiers on Sunday.

“The President has directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and affiliated militias accountable for their attacks.”pic.twitter.com/mv0fg8jmR7

— Haley Britzky (@halbritz) February 2, 2024

Breaking: The US has begun conducting strikes on targets in Iraq and Syria, the start of what will likely be a series of larger scale US strikes on Iranian-backed militias who have carried out attacks on US troops in the Middle East, according to two US officials.

— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) February 2, 2024

B1 bombers involved in the strike, per DOD officialhttps://t.co/ntichxFIco

— Lara Seligman (@laraseligman) February 2, 2024

Lieutenant General Douglas A. Sims II, director of operations of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that U.S. Central Command combat planes and B-1 bombers flying from the U.S. continental territory conducted the attacks, mobilizing more than 125 accurately guided ammunition.

Multiple strikes have reportedly hit the Rahbah Fortress in Al-Mayadeen city. pic.twitter.com/BH97UUpo6o

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 2, 2024

“The facilities that were hit included command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles, and storage of unmanned aerial vehicles, and logistics and ammunition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors that facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces,” added a statement from CENTCOM.

NEW — @skynewsarabia is quoting a @DeptofDefense official stating that multiple U.S. B-1 heavy bombers are in the air for a “mission” in the #MiddleEast.https://t.co/5hMk7Bk3P5

— Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) February 2, 2024

Sims said that the attacks seemed to have been successful and that all U.S. aircraft were safe.

Seems like odd timing for a bomber to cross the pond with everything in target range in the daylight now.https://t.co/fGTqeHQ7j3

— TheIntelFrog (@TheIntelFrog) February 2, 2024

Sims and Kirby said that the decision to attack on February 2 was motivated by the weather and the desire to avoid unnecessary victims. Sims said, however, that the authorities expected there to be victims of militants on the premises.

CLOSE11 or COAST11 ? ( B-1B Bombers ) refueled with DEED11 flt (KC-135) over Nova Scotia 1008 Zulupic.twitter.com/SVF1vtPGqf

— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) February 2, 2024

In a statement from the U.S. Air Forces Central, Lieutenant General Commander Alexus Grynkewich said he was “extremely proud of the discipline and professionalism with which our aviators carried out tonight's mission. These defensive attacks highlight America's commitment to defending our troops anytime and anywhere."

CENTCOM Statement on U.S. Strikes in Iraq and Syria

At 4:00 p.m. (EST) Feb. 02, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups. U.S. military forces... pic.twitter.com/HeLMFDx9zY

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 2, 2024

More attacks will come, Austin said, following up on previous comments suggesting that the United States would not be a passive witness to Iran-sponsored violence.

“This is the beginning of our response,” Austin said. "The President directed additional actions to hold the IRGC and the affiliated militias accountable for their attacks on the U.S. and the Coalition Forces. These will happen at times and places of our choice. We do not look for conflicts in the Middle East or anywhere else, but the President and I will not tolerate attacks on American forces."

Kirby repeatedly refused to say when and where more attacks would be launched.

“I'm extremely proud of the discipline and professionalism with which our Airmen executed tonight's mission. These defensive strikes highlight America's commitment to defending our troops anytime, anywhere” – Gen Alex Grynkewich, AFCENT Commanderhttps://t.co/fzqmwujluZ

— US AFCENT (@USAFCENT) February 2, 2024

Since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, leading Israel to declare war on the group in Gaza, Iranian-backed militia groups throughout the region have used ballistic missiles and drones to attack U.S. forces countless times. This includes groups in Iraq and Syria, as well as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen, who launched dozens of attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Video showing the U.S strikes taking place on militia locations in Al-Qaem , Iraq pic.twitter.com/UDAUHB14X6

— Steven Nabil (@thestevennabil) February 2, 2024

Another footage of secondary explosions following U.S. airstrikes targeting IRGC-linked PMF rocket warehouse in Al-Qaim, Iraq.pic.twitter.com/Dwb6uI03Mk

— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 2, 2024

However, it was only on January 28 that some of the attacks killed the American military. The only previous death in the U.S. during the current wave of violence was that of a contractor who died of cardiac arrest while protecting himself from an attack.

Multiple secondary explosions after US airstrikes hit an ammunition depot in the area of Al-Bukamal in eastern Syria.

The fire caused munitions cook-off as projectiles can be seen launching uncontrollably into the air. pic.twitter.com/Uv6jDf8QGC

— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) February 2, 2024

The U.S. responded to these attacks with waves of targeted attacks, most recently hitting sites on January 11 “associated with the Houthis' unmanned aerial vehicle, ballistic and cruise missiles, and coastal radar and air surveillance capabilities,” the Pentagon said at the time.

The U.S. attacked and killed an important figure in the Iraqi militia who was involved in the planning and execution of attacks against the U.S. military on January 4. American forces also launched attacks in response to direct threats to personnel.

A senior administration official confirm to CNN that the US will not strike inside #Iran - only focusing on targets outside of Iran.

Striking inside Iran would have been a huge escalation, and officials have telegraphed that that was unlikely to happen. #Syria#Iraq

— Hamdi (@HamdiAlkhshali) February 2, 2024

The February 2 attacks did not even attack Iran itself, a measure that some Republican lawmakers have called for as a way to hold Iran responsible for the actions of its representatives and partner forces. Pentagon officials said they hold Iran responsible for the attack on Tower 22, because Iran provided weapons and training to the groups.

Source: Air & Space Forces Magazine

Tags: Military AviationUSAF - United States Air Force / U.S. Air ForceWar Zones - Middle East

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Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

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