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Tag: Military leadership

  • Trump and Hegseth declare an end to ‘politically correct’ leadership in the US military

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    President Donald Trump revealed that he wants to use American cities as training grounds for the armed forces and joined Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday in declaring an end to “woke” culture before an unusual gathering of hundreds of top U.S. military officials who were abruptly summoned to Virginia from around the world.Hegseth announced new directives for troops that include “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards for physical fitness, while Trump bragged about U.S. nuclear capabilities and warned that “America is under invasion from within.”“After spending trillions of dollars defending the borders of foreign countries, with your help we’re defending the borders of our country,” Trump said.Hegseth had called military leaders to the Marine Corps base in Quantico, near Washington, without publicly revealing the reason until this morning. His address largely focused on his own long-used talking points that painted a picture of a military that has been hamstrung by “woke” policies, and he said military leaders should “do the honorable thing and resign” if they don’t like his new approach.Meetings between top military brass and civilian leaders are nothing new, but the gathering had fueled intense speculation about the summit’s purpose given the haste with which it was called and the mystery surrounding it.Video below: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gives remarks in QuanticoAdmirals and generals from conflict zones in the Middle East and elsewhere were summoned for a lecture on race and gender in the military, underscoring the extent to which the country’s culture wars have emerged as a front-and-center agenda item for Hegseth’s Pentagon, even at a time of broad national security concerns across the globe.‘We will not be politically correct’Trump is used to boisterous crowds of supporters who laugh at his jokes and applaud his boasts during his speeches. But he wasn’t getting that kind of soundtrack from the generals and admirals in attendance.In keeping with the nonpartisan tradition of the armed services, the military leaders sat mostly stone-faced through Trump’s politicized remarks, a contrast from when rank-and-file soldiers cheered during Trump’s speech at Fort Bragg this summer.During his nearly hour-long speech, Hegseth said the U.S. military has promoted too many leaders for the wrong reasons based on race, gender quotas and “historic firsts.”“The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” Hegseth said.That was echoed by Trump, who said “the purposes of America military is not to protect anyone’s feelings. It’s to protect our republic.″″We will not be politically correct when it comes to defending American freedom,” Trump said. “And we will be a fighting and winning machine.”Loosening disciplinary rulesHegseth said he is loosening disciplinary rules and weakening hazing protections, putting a heavy focus on removing many of the guardrails the military had put in place after numerous scandals and investigationsHe said he was ordering a review of “the department’s definitions of so-called toxic leadership, bullying and hazing to empower leaders to enforce standards without fear of retribution or second guessing.”The defense secretary called for “changes to the retention of adverse information on personnel records that will allow leaders with forgivable, earnest, or minor infractions to not be encumbered by those infractions in perpetuity.”“People make honest mistakes, and our mistakes should not define an entire career,” Hegseth said. “Otherwise, we only try not to make mistakes.”Bullying and toxic leadership has been the suspected and confirmed cause behind numerous military suicides over the past several years, including the very dramatic suicide of Brandon Caserta, a young sailor who was bullied into killing himself in 2018.A Navy investigation found that Caserta’s supervisor’s “noted belligerence, vulgarity and brash leadership was likely a significant contributing factor in (the sailor)’s decision to end his own life.”Gender-neutral physical standardsHegseth used the platform to slam environmental policies and transgender troops while talking up his and Trump’s focus on “the warrior ethos” and “peace through strength.”Hegseth said the department has been told from previous administrations that “our diversity is our strength,” which he called an “insane fallacy.”“They had to put out dizzying DEI and LGBTQE+ statements. They were told females and males are the same thing, or that males who think they’re females is totally normal,” he said, adding the use of electric tanks and the COVID vaccine requirements to the list as mistaken policies.Hegseth said this is not about preventing women from serving.“But when it comes to any job that requires physical power to perform in combat, those physical standards must be high and gender neutral,” he said. “If women can make it excellent, if not, it is what it is. If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it. That is not the intent, but it could be the result.”Hegseth’s speech came as the country faces a potential government shutdown this week and as Hegseth, who has hammered home a focus on lethality, has taken several unusual and unexplained actions, including ordering cuts to the number of general officers and firings of other top military leaders.Hegseth has championed the military’s role in securing the U.S.-Mexico border, deploying to American cities as part of Trump’s law enforcement surges, and carrying out strikes on boats in the Caribbean that the administration says targeted drug traffickers.

    QUANTICO, Va. —

    Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth summoned hundreds of U.S. military officials to an in-person meeting Tuesday to declare an end to “woke” culture in the military and announce new directives for troops that include “gender-neutral” or “male-level” standards for physical fitness.

    Hegseth and President Donald Trump had abruptly called military leaders from around the world to convene at the Marine Corps base in Quantico, near Washington, without publicly revealing the reason until this morning. Hegseth’s address largely focused on his own long-used talking points that painted a picture of a military that has been hamstrung by “woke” policies, and he said military leaders should “do the honorable thing and resign” if they don’t like his new approach.

    Meetings between top military brass and civilian leaders are nothing new, but the gathering had fueled intense speculation about the summit’s purpose given the haste with which it was called and the mystery surrounding it.

    Admirals and generals from conflict zones in the Middle East and elsewhere were summoned for a lecture on race and gender in the military, underscoring the extent to which the country’s culture wars have emerged as a front-and-center agenda item for Hegseth’s Pentagon, even at a time of broad national security concerns across the globe.

    Video below: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gives remarks in Quantico

    During his nearly hour-long speech, Hegseth said the U.S. military has promoted too many leaders for the wrong reasons based on race, gender quotas and “historic firsts.”

    “The era of politically correct, overly sensitive don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” Hegseth said.

    He said he is loosening disciplinary rules and weakening hazing protections, putting a heavy focus on removing many of the guardrails the military had put in place after numerous scandals and investigations

    Hegseth said he was ordering a review of “the department’s definitions of so-called toxic leadership, bullying and hazing to empower leaders to enforce standards without fear of retribution or second guessing.”

    He called for “changes to the retention of adverse information on personnel records that will allow leaders with forgivable, earnest, or minor infractions to not be encumbered by those infractions in perpetuity.”

    “People make honest mistakes, and our mistakes should not define an entire career,” Hegseth said. “Otherwise, we only try not to make mistakes.”

    Bullying and toxic leadership has been the suspected and confirmed cause behind numerous military suicides over the past several years, including the very dramatic suicide of Brandon Caserta, a young sailor who was bullied into killing himself in 2018.

    A Navy investigation found that Caserta’s supervisor’s “noted belligerence, vulgarity and brash leadership was likely a significant contributing factor in (the sailor)’s decision to end his own life.”

    Hegseth used the platform to slam physical fitness and grooming standards, environmental policies and transgender troops while talking up his and Trump’s focus on “the warrior ethos” and “peace through strength.”

    Hegseth said the department has been told from previous administrations that “our diversity is our strength,” which he called an “insane fallacy.”

    “They had to put out dizzying DEI and LGBTQE+ statements. They were told females and males are the same thing, or that males who think they’re females is totally normal,” he said, adding the use of electric tanks and the COVID vaccine requirements to the list as mistaken policies.

    Hegseth said this is is not about preventing women from serving.

    “But when it comes to any job that requires physical power to perform in combat, those physical standards must be high and gender neutral,” he said. “If women can make it excellent, if not, it is what it is. If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it. That is not the intent, but it could be the result.”

    Hegseth’s speech came as the country faces a potential government shutdown this week and as Hegseth, who has hammered home a focus on lethality, has taken several unusual and unexplained actions, including ordering cuts to the number of general officers and firings of other top military leaders.

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  • How Many Generals Are There in the US Military 2024: The Backbone of Army

    How Many Generals Are There in the US Military 2024: The Backbone of Army

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    The US Military is structured into several branches, including the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force. Each branch has a specific hierarchy of officer ranks, and at the top of this structure are the general officers.

    • US Army generals is 231
    • US Navy generals is 162
    • US Air Force generals is 198
    • US Marine Corps generals is 62

    Totaling of 653

    General officers hold ranks from one-star brigadier generals to four-star generals in the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, while the Navy equivalents are rear admirals lower half to full admirals.

    These officers possess substantial responsibilities which include leading large units, making strategic decisions, and overseeing military operations. They also represent the military’s highest level of command and have considerable influence over military policy and national defense.

    Key Takeaways

    • The U.S. military, comprising five branches, is led by 653 general officers.
    • Generals are pivotal in leadership, strategic decision-making, and overseeing operations.
    • Becoming a general involves paths like the USMA, ROTC, OCS, and direct commission.
    • The highest military rank, four-star general, is for those in key positions, selected through a rigorous process involving the President and Department of Defense.
    • Civilian oversight of the military is maintained through legislative actions.
    • Generals have historically and currently played crucial roles in military strategy.

    US Military Structure

    The United States military is a complex organization structured to provide national defense across various domains—land, sea, air, and space. It consists of five main service branches: 

    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Marine Corps
    • and the recently established Space Force.

    Each branch serves a specific operational role but works in conjunction under the coordinated oversight of the Department of Defense (DoD).

    The Army is the oldest and largest branch, responsible for ground-based military operations.

    It is complemented by the Navy, which handles warfare at sea and has the unique ability to project power across the oceans.

    Marine Corps, often working closely with the Navy, specializes in amphibious operations and rapid response. 

    Air Force focuses on air superiority, space operations, and strategic deterrence, while the Space Force, as the newest branch, is tasked with organizing, training, and equipping space forces.

    Organizationally, these branches fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, headed by the Secretary of Defense and further subdivided into various departments and commands.

    Strategic direction is provided by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a body of senior military leaders advising the President and the Secretary of Defense according to this Gov source.

    Each service branch also maintains its own civilian-led executive department, ensuring civilian control over military operations as highlighted by JSTOR. Together, they form an integrated and adaptive military structure capable of responding to a spectrum of global challenges.

    Rankings of General Officers

    US military general count

    1. Brigadier General

    Serving as the second-in-command to the Commanding General of a division, the Brigadier General assists in overseeing the planning and execution of all missions as noted by Military Rankings. In the context of an infantry brigade, this role is filled by the Brigadier General as the unit commander, with a Colonel serving as the deputy commander. In the Navy, they are known as rear admirals, lower half.

    2. Major General

    A Major General leads division-sized units comprising 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers and may also act as the deputy commander of a Corps. This rank involves responsibilities such as branch chief for various Corps like Infantry, Armor, or Quartermaster, and serving as commandants in Army schools. Major Generals may also command major Army organizations like TACOM and the Army Intelligence & Security Command.

    3. Lieutenant General

    The role of Lieutenant General encompasses commanding corps-sized units, which include 20,000 to 45,000 soldiers. Additionally, a Lieutenant General might hold a senior staff officer position within major command headquarters or operate as a department head at the Pentagon. The Navy equivalent of this rank is vice admiral.

    Interesting Fact: Superintendents of US service academies hold the rank of lieutenant general.

    4. General

    Military leadership hierarchyMilitary leadership hierarchy

    A General oversees all military operations within a designated geographical area and occupies the most senior position within the Department of Defense (DoD). Key positions for Generals include Chief of Staff and the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    Throughout the history of the US Army, there have been 248 individuals who have reached the rank of 4-star general as noted by CFR. Of these, 234 were promoted during their active duty in the branch, 8 received their rank upon retirement, 5 were posthumously promoted, and 1 served in the Continental Army, the predecessor of the US Army.

    Interesting Fact: George Washington holds the distinction of being the sole General appointed in the Continental Army.

    The 248 4-star generals also joined the Army from different routes.

    • 157 were commissioned through the USMA (US Military Academy)
    • 50 through the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) at a civilian institution
    • 16 through direct commission, 13 through OCS (Officer Candidate School)
    • 8 through ROTC at a senior military institution
    • 1 through ROTC at a junior military institution
    • 1 through direct commission in the ARNG (Army National Guard)
    • 1 through the aviation cadet initiative, and
    • 1 through battlefield commission

    5. Four-Star Generals

    Generals in US armed forcesGenerals in US armed forces

    Four-star generals hold the highest rank typically attainable in the U.S. military. This rank is reserved for officers holding positions of significant responsibility, and there are only a select number of these positions available, making this rank quite exclusive. In the Navy, officers of this rank are known as admirals.

    General officers are the pinnacle of military leadership and command. They are responsible for large units and have a broad scope of influence over their service’s operations. These highly ranked officers lead from the front, setting standards for discipline, training, and combat readiness. 

    Brigadier Generals, Major Generals, Lieutenant Generals, and full Generals typically oversee thousands of personnel and large military installations or divisions, each progressively responsible for larger and more complex formations.

    Joint Positions and Combatant Commands

    At the joint level, General officers may serve as Combatant Commanders or in senior positions within the Joint Chiefs of Staff. They manage joint military efforts across different branches, ensuring interoperable and coordinated actions in various operational theaters.

    The U.S. military’s unified combatant commands, such as U.S. Space Command, Africa Command, Central Command, Cyber Command, Pacific Command, European Command, Northern Command, and Special Operations Command, are each led by a four-star General or Admiral who reports directly to the President and Secretary of Defense according to DOD.

    Strategic Planning and Advice

    General officers are instrumental in strategic planning and providing military advice to national leaders. They analyze potential threats, create military strategies to deter or contain conflicts, and ensure the U.S. military remains a dominant force globally. Generals engage in complex evaluations of geopolitical situations and defense resources, offering expert advice to the President, Secretary of Defense, and National Security Council to shape the nation’s military and security policies.

    How To Become A General?

    Army general numbersArmy general numbers

    Individuals may obtain a commission in the United States Army, Air Force, and other branches through several avenues. The United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point and the Air Force Academy offer rigorous four-year programs culminating in a Bachelor of Science degree and a commission as a second lieutenant.

    Alternatively, students may enroll in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at civilian colleges, leading to a commission upon graduation. There’s also the Officer Candidate School (OCS) that serves college graduates who did not participate in ROTC or attend a military academy.

    Promotion and Advancement

    The trajectory from officer to general is marked by successive promotions, typically beginning as a second lieutenant. Officers are evaluated on their leadership abilities, job performance, and potential to handle greater responsibilities.

    Promotion to general officer ranks— brigadier general, major general, lieutenant general, and general—requires a demonstrated record of exceptional service, leadership, and the endorsement of senior military leadership.

    Each promotion brings increased responsibility and typically involves a selection board process.

    Senior Leadership Selection

    To reach the general officer ranks in the United States military, officers must distinguish themselves markedly from their peers.

    The selection for one-star general and above is a highly competitive process, influenced by an officer’s service record, leadership performance, education, and professional military education.

    These selections are often approved at the highest levels, including the Department of Defense and the President of the United States. Advancement to four-star general requires nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate.

    The roles and responsibilities of general officers vary significantly across different services and commands within the Army and the Air Force.

    The United States Army has had many generals who played pivotal roles in shaping world history through their military leadership and strategic acumen. During World War II, General Dwight D. Eisenhower served as Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in Western Europe, orchestrating the successful D-Day invasion and subsequently the defeat of Nazi Germany as per National Archives.

    Another significant figure was General George C. Marshall, who, as Army Chief of Staff during World War II, oversaw the U.S. Army’s expansion from a modest force to one of the most powerful in history. He later served as Secretary of State, crafting the Marshall Plan which helped to rebuild Europe after the war.

    Moving towards a more contemporary context, General Lloyd J. Austin’s pioneering leadership merits mention.

    He was the first African American to command an American combat brigade in Iraq, and later, the United States Central Command. Austin’s strategies were influential in the fight against the Islamic State.

    General Combat Role Notable Achievement
    Dwight D. Eisenhower Supreme Commander, Europe Led D-Day, defeated Nazi Germany
    George C. Marshall Army Chief of Staff Expanded U.S. Army during WWII
    Vincent K. Brooks Commander, U.S. Army Pacific Managed military relations with China
    Lloyd J. Austin Commander of U.S. Central Command First African American combat brigade commander in Iraq, opposed Islamic State

    General Vincent K. Brooks, as the Commander of the U.S. Army Pacific, had a significant role in managing military relations with China, ensuring regional security through diplomatic and military channels.

    Generals of the United States Army have been essential in executing wartime strategies and maintaining global peace and security. Their roles often transcended beyond mere combat, impacting diplomatic and geopolitical landscapes worldwide.

    Retirement and Post-Military Careers

    US military rank distributionUS military rank distribution

    Upon retiring from the military, many generals transition to new career paths, leveraging their leadership experience and extensive networks. Retirement from military service often comes with a transition period where these leaders must navigate their entry into civilian roles.

    Career Paths

    • A significant number find opportunities within the defense industry. Many retired four-star officers take on roles as board members or advisers to various defense contractors.
    • Some generals pursue federal civil service positions, which allow them to continue contributing to government operations outside of uniformed service.

    Statistics

    •  While definitive numbers vary, reports indicate a pattern of military leaders joining the defense industry. For example, a Government Accountability Office report noted that over 1,700 military and government officials transitioned to the defense sector over five years according to Responsible Statecraft.

    Challenges and Considerations:

    • The transition from military to civilian roles, especially in the defense industry, is often scrutinized to ensure ethical compliance and the avoidance of conflicts of interest.
    • Adapting to the civilian sector can be challenging, requiring generals to acclimate to different organizational cultures and operational tempos.

    Military and Defense Budget

    US military defense budgetUS military defense budget

    The pay grade of military personnel, including generals, is an integral part of the defense budget. Generals are at the top of the military pay scale, receiving salaries under their rank and years of service. In addition to the base pay, they are eligible for various allowances and benefits, which can include housing, healthcare, and retirement plans.

    These compensations are part of the overall budget managed by the Department of Defense and are factored into the annual financial planning for the military.

    Funding for these expenses comes from the overall defense budget, which includes both the base defense budget and supplemental war funding.

    The Defense Health Agency, for instance, is responsible for the administration of healthcare benefits to service members, which is a significant line item in the overall budget. Pay grades and associated allowances are categorized and standardized across the military branches to ensure uniformity and equity in compensation.

    Legislative and Civilian Oversight

    US military leadership rolesUS military leadership roles

    The Senate Armed Services Committee plays a critical role in overseeing the U.S. military, including its general officers.

    This committee is responsible for holding hearings that review and evaluate military activities and policy, and it also considers nominations of the President for positions such as Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff as reflected in this source.

    Detailed discussions and testimonies can focus on the appropriateness of the number of generals based on current defense strategies and global commitments.

    National Defense Authorization Act

    The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is a key piece of legislation that specifies the budget and expenditures of the Department of Defense. One of its purposes is to regulate the size and structure of the military, which may include a stipulation on the number of generals.

    For example, the 2017 NDAA included a provision to reduce the number of generals, aiming to streamline military efficiency and adapt to modern needs.

    Role of the President

    The President of the United States, as Commander-in-Chief, wields direct authority over the military but works within the constraints of policies and laws enacted by Congress. The President’s influence extends to appointing the most senior military leaders, upon the advice and consent of the Senate, thereby influencing military practices and the culture of leadership. Civilian control is further maintained by the President’s ability to set broader defense-related policies that shape military operations and strategy.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What are the different ranks of generals in the U.S. Military?

    In the U.S. Military, the general officer ranks are categorized loosely from one-star to four-star: Brigadier General (one-star), Major General (two-star), Lieutenant General (three-star), and General (four-star). The U.S. Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps use this ranking structure, whereas the Navy equivalent would be Rear Admiral lower half to Admiral.

    How many officers attain the rank of 5-star general?

    The five-star rank, formally known as General of the Army or Fleet Admiral, is a special wartime designation with only nine individuals ever promoted to this level in U.S. history. No officers currently hold this rank as it was last awarded in the mid-20th century, following World War II.

    What is the total number of active 4-star generals currently serving?

    The exact number of active four-star generals fluctuates based on retirements and new appointments. As of the last publicly available information, there are generally around 40 to 44 active four-star officers across all military branches.

    Who holds the highest command position in the U.S. Military?

    The highest military command position in the U.S. Military is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This position is held by a four-star general or admiral who serves as the principal military advisor to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council.

    How does the number of 1-star and 2-star generals compare in the U.S. Army?

    In the U.S. Army, there tends to be a larger number of one-star and two-star generals compared to their three-star and four-star counterparts. For instance, there are over a hundred in each rank of one-star and two-star generals, with precise numbers varying due to changes in military structure and retirements.

    Has there ever been a 6-star general, and if so, who was it?

    The rank of a six-star general has never been authorized or used in the U.S. Military. However, it’s worth noting that General George Washington was posthumously awarded the title of General of the Armies of the United States, which is often informally mentioned as equivalent to a six-star rank to honor his leadership during the Revolutionary War.

    Final Words

    General officers in the U.S. Military are pivotal to national defense and global security. Their strategic leadership, extensive responsibilities, and commitment to service underpin the effectiveness and readiness of the armed forces.

    As defense challenges evolve, so will the roles of these high-ranking officers, ensuring the U.S. Military remains adaptable and capable of addressing future threats.

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    Srdjan Ilic

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  • Major General William J. Walker, USA (Retired) to Join SIMS Software’s Board of Advisors

    Major General William J. Walker, USA (Retired) to Join SIMS Software’s Board of Advisors

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    CARLSBAD, Calif., June 20, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    SIMS Software, the leading provider of security information management software to the government and defense industries, announced Major General William J. Walker, USA (Retired) has joined the Company’s distinguished board of advisors. SIMS Software is committed to being at the forefront of evolving security stakeholder needs, supporting government compliance and developing advanced technologies to further protect the security posture and vital interests of the United States and our allies. 

    The appointment of General Walker to SIMS Software’s Board of Advisors has added another highly distinguished military and government leader to its ranks. General Walker’s deep experiences in operations across government, military, and national security, both domestically and internationally, make him a tremendous addition to the SIMS Software advisory team. In this role, General Walker will bring decades of industry expertise and insights to aide SIMS Software’s support of the national security community and its strategic business development growth plans. 

    SIMS Software’s CEO Michael Struttmann stated, “It is my distinct privilege to provide critical technologies to those across the national security and defense industries who selflessly serve and protect our country. Major General Walker epitomizes the public service ethos and the earned experience of a national security practitioner. He is an outstanding addition to our Advisory Board.”

    “I am absolutely thrilled to join SIMS Software’s Board of Advisors at an exciting time in the company’s growth and look forward to working with fellow board members and SIMS Software’s leadership team to further their strategic objectives,” remarked General Walker.  

    The Honorable William J. Walker has enjoyed an extensive and distinguished public service career. He is currently serving as a senior advisor at The Chertoff Group, a global advisory firm, and assists clients in Federal law enforcement, intelligence, and the military in identifying new business opportunities and building strategic partnerships. 

    In the aftermath of the January 6th attack on the Capitol, General Walker was entrusted with a critical role as the 38th Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. House of Representatives for the 117th Congress. General Walker approved all matters concerning the protection of Members, the security of staff and visitors, and of the Capitol and congressional office buildings.  

    As a former U.S. Army intelligence officer, he served in staff and leadership positions from platoon leader to commanding general. He also retired from the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Special Agent and career member of the Senior Executive Service. He conducted and directed transnational criminal investigations collaboratively with foreign law enforcement officials in Asia, the Caribbean and South America. 

    General Walker was educated at the University of Illinois at Chicago (BA), Chicago State University (MS), the National Intelligence University (MS), and American University (MA). He is a resident War College graduate, an MIT Seminar XXI Fellow, and he completed national security programs at Harvard, George Washington, and Syracuse universities. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner, a National Academy of Public Administration Fellow and life member of the Council on Foreign Relations. 

    About SIMS Software:

    For 40 years, SIMS Software has been the leading provider of security information management software to some of the world’s most renowned government agencies, defense contractors, high-technology giants, academic institutions, and research facilities. SIMS Software helps security professionals centralize dispersed data sources to achieve operational efficiencies, government compliance, risk mitigation and visibility across their security domain.

    To learn more, visit www.SIMSsoftware.com.

    Source: SIMS Software

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  • Keep COVID military vaccine mandate, defense chief says

    Keep COVID military vaccine mandate, defense chief says

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    Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin introduces the B-21 Raider stealth at Northrop Grumman Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in Palmdale, Calif. America’s newest nuclear stealth bomber made its debut Friday after years of secret development and as part of the Pentagon’s answer to rising concerns over a future conflict with China. The B-21 Raider is the first new American bomber aircraft in more than 30 years. Almost every aspect of the program is classified. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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  • US and Chinese defense chiefs meet amid strained relations

    US and Chinese defense chiefs meet amid strained relations

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    SIEM REAP, Cambodia — The defense chiefs of the United States and China held talks Tuesday on the sidelines of a regional meeting in Cambodia to discuss strained bilateral relations and regional and global security issues, U.S. and Chinese officials said.

    It was the second face-to-face meeting in six months between U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin II and Gen. Wei Fenghe, China’s minister of national defense. It came just over a week after a meeting in Indonesia between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping which was widely seen as an effort to ease tensions between the two superpowers over trade and China’s claim to Taiwan.

    Austin and Wei are in Siem Reap, Cambodia, attending a meeting of defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asia Nations and other major countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

    Already-tense relations between Washington and Beijing soured even more in August when U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, which is independently governed but claimed by China. The United States, Taiwan’s most important ally, mantains a longstanding “one China” policy, which recognizes the government in Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei, and “strategic ambiguity” over whether the U.S. would respond militarily if the island were attacked.

    Biden said after meeting Xi that when it comes to China, the U.S. will “compete vigorously, but I’m not looking for conflict.”

    Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said Austin assured Wei of Biden’s commitment to the “one China” policy.

    Austin “underscored his opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo” and called on China to refrain from destabilizing actions toward Taiwan, Ryder said in a statement.

    He also urged continuing talks on “reducing strategic risk, improving crisis communications, and enhancing operational safety,” noting concerns over “dangerous behavior” by Chinese military aircraft “that increases the risk of an accident.”

    In a news conference, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Col. Tan Kefei described Tuesday’s talks “as a concrete measure to implement the important consensus reached between Xi and Biden.”

    He said the meeting was “of great significance” for bringing China-U.S. relations “back to the track of healthy and stable development.”

    But an official statement issued by China’s Defense Ministry quoted Wei as saying, “The responsibility for the current situation facing China-U.S. relations is on the U.S. side, not on the Chinese side.”

    Wei said the issue of Taiwan was a “red line” over which China would brook no foreign interference. China’s military “has the backbone, the determination, the confidence and the ability to resolutely safeguard the unity of the motherland,” Wei said.

    The Defense Ministry statement said the two sides also exchanged views over the South China Sea, Ukraine and the Korean Peninsula, without giving details. The U.S. statement said Austin discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine and noted that both Washington and Beijing “oppose the use of nuclear weapons or threats to use them.”

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  • Chinese coast guard seizes rocket debris from Filipino navy

    Chinese coast guard seizes rocket debris from Filipino navy

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    MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese coast guard forcibly seized floating debris the Philippine navy was towing to its island in another confrontation in the disputed South China Sea, a Philippine military commander said Monday. The debris appeared to be from a Chinese rocket launch.

    The Chinese vessel twice blocked the Philippine naval boat before seizing the debris it was towing Sunday off Philippine-occupied Thitu Island, Vice Admiral Alberto Carlos said Monday. He said no one was injured in the incident.

    It’s the latest flare-up in long-seething territorial disputes in the strategic waterway, involving China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

    Chinese coast guard ships have blocked Philippine supply boats delivering supplies to Filipino forces in the disputed waters in the past, but seizing objects in the possession of another nation’s military constituted a more brazen act.

    Carlos said the Filipino sailors, using a long-range camera on Thitu island, spotted the debris drifting in strong waves near a sandbar about 800 yards (540 meters) away. They set out on a boat and retrieved the floating object and started to tow it back to their island using a rope tied to their boat.

    As the Filipino sailors were moving back to their island, “they noticed that China coast guard vessel with bow number 5203 was approaching their location and subsequently blocked their pre-plotted course twice,” Carlos said in a statement.

    The Chinese coast guard vessel then deployed an inflatable boat with personnel who “forcefully retrieved said floating object by cutting the towing line attached to the” Filipino sailors’ rubber boat. The Filipino sailors decided to return to their island, Carlos said, without detailing what happened.

    Maj. Cherryl Tindog, spokesperson of the military’s Western Command, said the floating metal object appeared similar to a number of other pieces of Chinese rocket debris recently found in Philippine waters. She added the Filipino sailors did not fight the seizure.

    “We practice maximum tolerance in such a situation,” Tindog told reporters. “Since it involved an unidentified object and not a matter of life and death, our team just decided to return.”

    Metal debris from Chinese rocket launches, some showing a part of what appears to be Chinese flag, have been found in Philippine waters in at least three other instances. Such discovery of Chinese rocket debris has opened China to criticism.

    Rockets launched from the Wenchang Space Launch Center on China’s Hainan island in recent months have carried construction materials and supplies for China’s crewed space station.

    The Philippine government has filed a large number of diplomatic protests in recent years against China over such aggressive actions in the South China Sea but it did not immediately say what action it would take following Sunday’s incident. The Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila would usually wait for an official investigation report before lodging a protest.

    Thitu island, which Filipinos call Pag-asa, hosts a fishing community and Filipino forces and lies near Subi, one of seven disputed reefs in the offshore region that China has turned into missile-protected islands, including three with runways, which U.S. security officials say now resemble military forward bases.

    The Philippines and other smaller claimant nations in the disputed region, backed by the United States and other Western countries, have strongly protested and raised alarm over China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the busy waterway.

    U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is visiting Manila, is scheduled to fly to the western province of Palawan, which faces the South China Sea, on Tuesday to underscore American support to the Philippines and renew U.S. commitment to defend its longtime treaty ally if Filipino forces, ships and aircraft come under attack in the disputed waters.

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  • US defense chief: ‘Tyranny and turmoil’ in Russian invasion

    US defense chief: ‘Tyranny and turmoil’ in Russian invasion

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    HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned Saturday Russia’s invasion of Ukraine offers a preview of a world where nuclear-armed countries could threaten other nations and said Beijing, like Moscow, seeks a world where might makes right.

    Austin made the remarks at the annual Halifax International Security Forum, which attracts defense and security officials from Western democracies.

    “Russia’s invasion offers a preview of a possible world of tyranny and turmoil that none of us would want to live in. And it’s an invitation to an increasingly insecure world haunted by the shadow of nuclear proliferation,” Austin said in a speech.

    “Because (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s fellow autocrats are watching. And they could well conclude that getting nuclear weapons would give them a hunting license of their own. And that could drive a dangerous spiral of nuclear proliferation.”

    Austin dismissed Putin’s claims that “modern Ukraine was entirely created by Russia,” calling it a vision of “a world in which autocrats decide which countries are real and which countries can be snuffed out.”

    He added that the war “shows the whole world the dangers of disorder. That’s the security challenge that we face. It’s urgent, and it’s historic.

    But we’re going to meet it. … The basic principles of democracy are under siege around the world,” he said.

    U.S. President Joe Biden last month declared that the risk of nuclear “Armageddon” is at the highest level since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis; Russian officials have raised using tactical nuclear weapons after suffering massive setbacks in the nearly nine-month invasion of Ukraine.

    While U.S. officials for months have warned of the prospect that Russia could use weapons of mass destruction in Ukraine in the face of battlefield setbacks, Biden administration officials have repeatedly said nothing has changed in U.S. intelligence assessments to suggest that Putin has imminent plans to deploy nuclear weapons.

    CIA Director Bill Burns recently met with his Russian intelligence counterpart to warn of consequences if Russia were to deploy a nuclear weapon in Ukraine.

    Austin said nuclear weapons need to be responsibly controlled, and not used to threaten the world.

    “Ukraine faces a harsh winter. And as Russia’s position on the battlefield erodes, Putin may resort again to profoundly irresponsible nuclear saber-rattling,” he said

    Austin also compared Russia to China, saying Beijing is trying to refashion both the region and the international system to suit its authoritarian preferences. He noted China’s increasing military activities in the Taiwan Strait.

    “Beijing, like Moscow, seeks a world where might makes right, where disputes are resolved by force, and where autocrats can stamp out the flame of freedom,” he said.

    Austin called Putin’s invasion the worst crisis in security since the end of the Second World War and said the outcome “will help determine the course of global security in this young century,” Austin said..

    Austin said the deadly missile explosion in Poland this week is a consequence of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “war of choice” against Ukraine. “The tragic and troubling explosion in Poland this week reminded the whole world of the recklessness of Putin’s war of choice,” Austin said.

    On Tuesday, two workers were killed when a projectile hit a grain-drying facility close to Poland’s border with Ukraine. While the source of the missile is under investigation, NATO officials have said they suspect it was fired from a Ukrainian missile battery.

    Officials from Poland, NATO and the United States have blamed Russia for the deaths in any case, saying a Ukrainian missile would not have misfired had the country not been forced to defend itself against heavy Russian attacks that day.

    Russian officials have cast the conflict as a struggle against NATO — though Ukraine is not a NATO member even if it has been receiving aid from NATO member states.

    Austin said NATO is a defensive alliance and poses no threat to Russia.

    “Make no mistake: we will not be dragged into Putin’s war of choice. But we will stand by Ukraine as it fights to defend itself. And we will defend every inch of NATO territory,” Austin said.

    A Polish investigation to determine the source of the missile and the circumstances of the explosion was launched with support from the U.S. and Ukrainian investigators joined the probe on Friday.

    Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said in an interview broadcast live at the forum that “It’s not right to say it’s a Ukrainian rocket, or a Russian rocket, before the investigation is over.”

    In its 14th year, about 300 people gather each year at Halifax International Security Forum held at Halifax’s Westin hotel, where about 13 Ukrainian refugees now work.

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  • US Merchant Marine Academy gets 1st female superintendent

    US Merchant Marine Academy gets 1st female superintendent

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    KINGS POINT, N.Y. — The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy’s next superintendent will be the first woman appointed to the position in the institution’s nearly 80-year history, the U.S. Transportation Department announced Saturday.

    Retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Joanna Nunan will take the helm at the 1,000-person academy on New York’s Long Island in a few weeks, the department said. She succeeds Jack Buono, who resigned in June.

    Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Nunan is “the right leader at the right time” for the Merchant Marine Academy, which has been racked by sexual misconduct allegations in recent years.

    “Her years of experience as a senior military leader — including command at sea — have prepared Rear Admiral Nunan to shape the future of the (academy) and help ensure the safety and success of its extraordinary midshipmen,” Buttigieg said.

    Last year, the academy suspended its Sea Year program — which sends cadets to work on container ships, oil tankers, passenger liners and other vessels — for the second time since 2016 after a cadet said a cargo ship supervisor got her drunk and raped her.

    In December 2020, the Transportation Department agreed to pay $1.4 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a cadet who alleged he was hazed and sexually assaulted by his academy soccer teammates.

    Nunan, a Bridgeport, Connecticut native, retired this year as the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness. She graduated from the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, in 1987. She has an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and three Coast Guard merchant mariner licenses.

    Nunan spent nine years at sea, commanded two buoy tenders and was the commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District on the Great Lakes and Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.

    She served as military advisor to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and military assistant to Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta and was later the Coast Guard’s Assistant Commandant for Human Resources.

    As the Coast Guard’s Deputy for Personnel Readiness, Nunan supervised the Coast Guard Academy and served on its board of trustees. She has also been a member of the Coast Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, and Recovery Committee.

    The Merchant Marine Academy trains graduates to work in the commercial shipping industry. It is one of five military service academies, and the only one under the direction of the Department of Transportation.

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  • Russia withdrawing, Ukrainian official fears ‘city of death’

    Russia withdrawing, Ukrainian official fears ‘city of death’

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    KYIV, Ukraine — Russia said it began withdrawing troops from a strategic Ukrainian city Thursday, creating a potential turning point in the grinding war, while a Ukrainian official warned that Russian land mines could render Kherson a “city of death.”

    Ukrainian officials acknowledged Moscow’s forces had no choice but to flee Kherson, yet they remained cautious, fearing an ambush. With Ukrainian officials tight-lipped with their assessments, reporters not present and spotty communications, it was difficult to know what was happening in the port city, where the residents who remained after tens of thousands fled were afraid to leave their homes.

    A forced pullout from Kherson — the only provincial capital Moscow captured after invading Ukraine in February — would mark one of Russia’s worst war setbacks. Recapturing the city, whose pre-war population was 280,000, could provide Ukraine a launching pad for supplies and troops to try to win back other lost territory in the south, including Crimea, which Moscow seized in 2014.

    Ukrainian forces seem to be scoring more battlefield successes elsewhere in the Kherson region and closing in on the city. President Volodymyr Zelenskky said Thursday night the pace has increased so much that residents “are now checking almost every hour where our units have reached and where else our national flag was raised.”

    The armed forces commander-in-chief, Gen. Valeriy Zaluzhny, said Kyiv’s forces have advanced 36.5 kilometers (22.7 miles) and retaken 41 villages and towns since Oct. 1 in the province, which the Kremlin has illegally annexed. That included 12 settlements on Wednesday alone.

    Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said Russian troops laid mines throughout Kherson as they withdrew to turn it into a “city of death” and predicted they would shell it after relocating across the Dnieper River.

    From these new positions, the Kremlin could try to escalate the 8 1/2-month war, which U.S. assessments showed may already have killed or wounded tens of thousands of civilians and hundreds of thousands of soldiers.

    Arkadiy Dovzhenko, who fled Kherson in June, said his grandparents still living there told him Thursday that “the Russians were bringing a lot of equipment into the town and also mining every inch of it.”

    Zelenskyy said Thursday night his forces were racing to remove land mines from 170,000 square meters (65,637 square miles) nationwide, and planned also to do so in Kherson. A spokeswoman for Ukraine’s southern military, Natalia Humeniuk, said on Ukrainian television that resistance forces working behind enemy lines “carefully collect information” about critical infrastructure threatened by mines.

    Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered a troop withdrawal from Kherson and nearby areas on Wednesday after his top general in Ukraine reported that a loss of supply routes during Ukraine’s southern counteroffensive made a defense “futile.”

    Shoigu’s ministry reported Thursday a “maneuver of units of the Russian group” to the Dnieper River’s eastern bank, also known as its left bank.

    On Thursday, Ukrainian officials appeared to soften the skepticism they had expressed over whether the Russians were really on the run or trying to trap Ukraine’s soldiers. “The enemy had no other choice but to resort to fleeing,” armed forces chief Zaluzhny said, because Kyiv’s army destroyed supply systems and disrupted Russia’s local military command.

    Still, he said the Ukrainian military could not confirm a Russian withdrawal.

    Alexander Khara, of the Kyiv-based think tank Center for Defense Strategies, echoed those concerns, saying he remained fearful that Russian forces could destroy a dam upriver from Kherson and flood the city’s approaches. The former Ukrainian diplomat also warned of booby traps and other possible dangers.

    “I would be surprised if the Russians had not set up something, some surprises for Ukraine,” Khara said.

    Russian President Vladimir Putin, who just over a month ago celebrated the annexation of Kherson and three other Ukrainian regions and vowed to defend them by any means, has not commented on the withdrawal.

    A resident said Kherson was deserted Thursday and that explosions could be heard from ​​​around Antonivskiy Bridge — a key Dnieper River crossing that Ukrainian forces have repeatedly bombarded.

    “Life in the city seems to have stopped. Everyone has disappeared somewhere and no one knows what will happen next,” said Konstantin, a resident whose last name was withheld for security reasons.

    He said Russian flags have disappeared from the city’s administrative buildings, and no signs remain of the Russian military personnel who earlier moved into the apartments of evacuated residents. Russian state news agency Tass reported that emergency services such as police officers and medical workers would leave along with the last Russian troops.

    Halyna Lugova, head of the Ukrainian administration of Kherson city, told Ukrainian television Thursday that the Russian military was moving vehicles towards the Antonivskiy Bridge. Lugova, who is now based in Ukrainian-controlled territory, described conditions in the city as brutal.

    Kherson remains without power, heating and internet service, gas stations in the city are closed, and there is no fuel, she said. The city also has run out of medications for cancer and diabetes patients. Ukrainian news reports said the Russians blew up the local television center, some of the cellphone towers and energy infrastructure.

    Ukrainian officials have been cautious at other times in declaring victories against a Russian force that at least initially outgunned and outnumbered Ukraine’s armed forces.

    Orysia Lutsevych, head of the Ukraine Forum at international affairs think-tank Chatham House, said the reticence explains “why, until Ukrainians are in the city, they don’t want to declare that they have it (in) control.”

    British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was similarly cautious. He spoke to Zelenskyy on Thursday, and his office said they agreed “it was right to continue to exercise caution until the Ukrainian flag was raised over the city.”

    Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Wednesday he believed a retreat was underway, but that Russia had amassed as many as 30,000 troops in Kherson and that a full withdrawal could take several weeks.

    One analyst noted that the Ukrainian army has destroyed bridges and roads as part of its counteroffensive, making a quick transfer of Russian troops across the Dnieper River impossible.

    “The main question is whether the Ukrainians will give the Russians the opportunity to calmly withdraw, or fire at them during the crossing to the left bank,” Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov said. “The personnel can be taken out on boats, but the equipment needs to be taken out only on barges and pontoons, and this is very easily shelled by the Ukrainian army.”

    Putin’s allies rushed to defend the retreat as tough, but necessary. However, Pro-Kremlin political analyst Sergei Markov broke ranks and described the move as “Russia’s biggest geopolitical loss since the collapse of the Soviet Union” and warned that “political consequences of this huge loss will be really big.”

    ———

    Karmanau reported from Tallinn, Estonia. Raf Casert contributed from Brussels. Jill Lawless contributed from London. Andrew Katell contributed from New York.

    ———

    Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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  • Ethiopia peace talks extended as disarmament, aid discussed

    Ethiopia peace talks extended as disarmament, aid discussed

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    NAIROBI, Kenya — The latest round of peace talks between Ethiopia’s government and representatives of the country’s Tigray region has been extended as military commanders work out details on disarmament of Tigray forces after two years of conflict.

    An official familiar with the talks confirmed the extension into Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The talks that began Monday in Kenya had been set to end Wednesday.

    The African Union-led talks follow last week’s signing of a “permanent cessation of hostilities” in the conflict that is estimated to have killed hundreds of thousands of people.

    The agreement calls for the disarmament of Tigray forces within weeks, but there is concern about when other combatants who aren’t part of the deal will withdraw from Tigray. They include forces from Eritrea, which neighbors the region, and Ethiopia’s Amhara region.

    Other issues discussed at this round of talks include the restoration of basic services like internet, telecommunications and banking to the region of more than 5 million people, as well as the resumption of deliveries of humanitarian aid.

    The United Nations on Wednesday said they and partners were still waiting on access to a region where even some basic medical supplies have run out. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is from Ethiopia, told reporters he had expected aid to resume “immediately” after the peace deal’s signing.

    The lead negotiator for Ethiopia’s government, Redwan Hussein, has said that “maybe by the end of this week or the middle of next week” humanitarian aid will be allowed to go in.

    United Nations-backed investigators have said Ethiopian forces resorted to “starvation of civilians” as a weapon in the conflict marked by abuses on all sides.

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  • ICC prosecutor seeks new arrest warrants for crimes in Libya

    ICC prosecutor seeks new arrest warrants for crimes in Libya

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    UNITED NATIONS — The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court announced Wednesday that he has submitted new applications for arrest warrants stemming from his investigations of alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Libya.

    Karim Khan told the U.N. Security Council in the first briefing by an ICC prosecutor from Libyan soil that the applications were submitted confidentially to the court’s independent judges, who will determine whether to issue arrest warrants. Therefore, he said, he couldn’t provide further details.

    But, Khan added, “there will be further applications that we will make because the victims want to see action, and the evidence is available, and it’s our challenge to make sure we have the resources (to) prioritize the Libya situation to make sure we can vindicate the promise of the Security Council in Resolution 1970.”

    In that resolution, adopted in February 2011, the Security Council unanimously referred Libya to The Hague, Netherlands-based ICC to launch an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

    The council’s referral followed Moammar Gadhafi’s brutal crackdown on protesters that was then taking place. The uprising, later backed by NATO, led to Gadhafi’s capture and death in October 2011.

    Oil-rich Libya was then split by rival administrations, one in the east, backed by military commander Khalifa Hifter, and a U.N.-supported administration in the west, in capital of Tripoli. Each side is supported by different militias and foreign powers.

    Libya’s current political crisis stems from the failure to hold elections in December 2021 and the refusal of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who led a transitional government in Tripoli, to step down. In response, the country’s east-based parliament appointed a rival prime minister, Fathy Bashagha, who has for months sought to install his government in Tripoli.

    Khan said in his virtual briefing from Tripoli that his visit to Libya, including meetings with victims of violence and abuse from all parts of the country, had reinforced his belief that more needs to be done to ensure their voices are heard, that justice is done, and there is accountability for crimes committed against them and their loved ones.

    “We can’t allow a sentiment to become pervasive that impunity is inevitable,” he said. “Victims want the truth to emerge.”

    The prosecutor said he visited the western town of Tarhuna, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) from Tripoli, where mass graves were discovered in June 2020 following the withdrawal of Hifter’s forces after they failed to take the capital. During a round table meeting, he said, one man told him he had lost 24 family members and another said he had lost 15 relatives.

    Khan said 250 bodies have so far been recovered in Tarhuna but far fewer have been identified. He said he emphasized to Libya’s attorney general, justice minister and forensic science service that his office is willing to provide technical assistance because “the task is so great.”

    The prosecutor told the council that for the first time since 2011, the ICC now has a regular presence in the region.

    He said his staff has made 20 missions to six countries to collect a variety of evidence, including from satellites, witnesses and audio recordings. The ICC has also built partnerships with Libyan authorities, he said.

    “The overwhelming crimes are against Libyans,” Khan said. “And this partnership that we’re trying to refocus and build and foster is absolutely pivotal if we’re trying to move forward.”

    The prosecutor said he went to Benghazi and met Tuesday with the military prosecutor and with Hifter.

    “I made it clear that we had received evidence and information regarding allegations of crimes committed by the LNA,” he said, using the initials of the self-styled Libya National Army that Hifter commands.

    “I said that those would be and are being investigated,” Khan said.

    Khan said the ICC wants to ensure that “whether one is from the east or the west, whether one is in the north or from the south of Libya, whether one is a military commander or a civilian superior, there is an absolute prohibition on committing crimes within the jurisdiction of the court.”

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  • N. Korea fires more missiles as US flies bombers over South

    N. Korea fires more missiles as US flies bombers over South

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    SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea added to its recent barrage of weapons demonstrations by launching four ballistic missiles into the sea on Saturday, as the United States sent two supersonic bombers streaking over South Korea in a dueling display of military might that underscored rising tensions in the region.

    South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the four short-range missiles fired from a western coastal area around noon flew about 130 kilometers (80 miles) toward the country’s western sea.

    The North has test-fired more than 30 missiles this week, including an intercontinental ballistic missile on Thursday that triggered evacuation alerts in northern Japan, and flew large numbers of warplanes inside its territory in an angry reaction to a massive combined aerial exercise between the United States and South Korea.

    The South Korean military said two B-1B bombers trained with four U.S. F-16 fighter jets and four South Korean F-35s jets during the last day of the “Vigilant Storm” joint air force drills that wraps up Saturday. It marked the first time since December 2017 that the bombers were deployed to the Korean Peninsula. The exercise involved around 240 warplanes, including advanced F-35 fighter jets from both countries.

    North Korea’s Foreign Ministry late Friday described the country’s military actions this week as an appropriate response to the exercise, which it called a display of U.S. “military confrontation hysteria.” It said North Korea will respond with the “toughest counteraction” to any attempts by “hostile forces” to infringe on its sovereignty or security interests.

    South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the participation of the B-1Bs in the joint drills demonstrated the allies’ readiness to “sternly respond” to North Korean provocations and the U.S. commitment to defend its ally with the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear.

    B-1B flyovers had been a familiar show of force during past periods of tensions with North Korea. The planes last appeared in the region in 2017, during another provocative run in North Korean weapons demonstrations. But the flyovers had been halted in recent years as the United States and South Korea stopped their large-scale exercises to support the former Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts with North Korea and because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The allies resumed their large-scale training this year after North Korea dialed up its weapons testing to a record pace, exploiting a divide in the U.N. Security Council over Russia’s war on Ukraine as a window to accelerate arms development.

    North Korea hates such displays of American military might at close range. The North has continued to describe the B-1B as a “nuclear strategic bomber” although the plane was switched to conventional weaponry in the mid-1990s.

    Vigilant Storm had been initially scheduled to end Friday, but the allies decided to extend the training to Saturday in response to a series of North Korean ballistic launches on Thursday, including an ICBM that triggered evacuation alerts and halted trains in northern Japan.

    Thursday’s launches came after the North fired more than 20 missiles on Wednesday, the most in a single day. Those launches came after North Korean senior military official Pak Jong Chon issued a veiled threat of a nuclear conflict with the United States and South Korea over their joint drills, which the North says are rehearsals for a potential invasion.

    South Korea also on Friday scrambled about 80 military aircraft after tracking about 180 flights by North Korean warplanes inside North Korean territory. The South’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the North Korean warplanes were detected in various areas inland and along the country’s eastern and western coasts, but did not come particularly close to the Koreas’ border. The South Korean military spotted about 180 flight trails from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., but it wasn’t immediately clear how many North Korean planes were involved and whether some may have flown more than once.

    In Friday’s statement attributed to an unidentified spokesperson, North Korea’s Foreign Ministry said the United States and South Korea had created a seriously “unstable atmosphere” in the region with their military exercises. It accused the United States of mobilizing its allies in a campaign using sanctions and military threats to pressure North Korea to unilaterally disarm.

    “The sustained provocation is bound to be followed by sustained counteraction,” the statement said.

    North Korea has launched dozens of ballistic missiles this year, including multiple ICBMs and an intermediate-range missile flown over Japan. South Korean officials say there are indications North Korea in coming weeks could detonate its first nuclear test device since 2017. Experts say North Korea is attempting to force the United States to accept it as a nuclear power and seeks to negotiate economic and security concessions from a position of strength.

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  • General who led Syrian bombing is new face of Russian war

    General who led Syrian bombing is new face of Russian war

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    The general carrying out President Vladimir Putin’s new military strategy in Ukraine has a reputation for brutality — for bombing civilians in Russia’s campaign in Syria. He also played a role in the deaths of three protesters in Moscow during the failed coup against Mikhail Gorbachev in 1991 that hastened the demise of the Soviet Union.

    Bald and fierce-looking, Gen. Sergei Surovikin was put in charge of Russian forces in Ukraine on Oct. 8 after what has so far been a faltering invasion that has seen a number of chaotic retreats and other setbacks over the nearly eight months of war.

    Putin put the 56-year-old career military man in command following an apparent truck bombing of the strategic bridge to the Crimean Peninsula that embarrassed the Kremlin and created logistical problems for the Russian forces.

    Russia responded with a barrage of strikes across Ukraine, which Putin said were aimed at knocking down energy infrastructure and Ukrainian military command centers. Such attacks have continued on a daily basis, pummeling power plants and other facilities with cruise missiles and waves of Iranian-made drones.

    Surovikin also retains his job of air force chief, a position that could help coordinate the airstrikes with other operations.

    During the most recent bombardments, some Russian war bloggers carried a statement attributed to Surovikin that signaled his intention to pursue the attacks with unrelenting vigor in an attempt to pound the Kyiv government into submission.

    “I don’t want to sacrifice Russian soldiers’ lives in a guerrilla war against hordes of fanatics armed by NATO,” the bloggers quoted his statement as saying. “We have enough technical means to force Ukraine to surrender.”

    While the veracity of the statement couldn’t be confirmed, it appears to reflect the same heavy-handed approach that Surovikin took in Syria where he oversaw the destruction of entire cities to flush out rebel resistance without paying much attention to the civilian population. That indiscriminate bombing drew condemnation from international human rights groups, and some media reports have dubbed him “General Armageddon.”

    Putin awarded Surovikin the Hero of Russia medal, the country’s highest award, in 2017 and promoted him to full general.

    Kremlin hawks lauded Surovikin’s appointment in Ukraine. Yevgeny Prigozhin, a millionaire businessman dubbed “Putin’s chef” who owns a prominent military contractor that plays a key role in the fighting in Ukraine, praised him as “the best commander in the Russian army.”

    But even as hard-liners expected Surovikin to ramp up strikes on Ukraine, his first public statements after his appointment sounded more like a recognition of the Russian military’s vulnerabilities than blustery threats.

    In remarks on Russian state television, Surovikin acknowledged that Russian forces in southern Ukraine were in a “quite difficult position” in the face of Ukrainian counteroffensive.

    In carefully scripted comments that Surovikin appeared to read from a teleprompter, he said that further action in the region will depend on the evolving combat situation. Observers interpreted his statement as an attempt to prepare the public for a possible Russian pullback from the strategic southern city of Kherson in southern Ukraine.

    Surovikin began his military career with the Soviet army in 1980s and, as a young lieutenant, was named an infantry platoon commander. When he later rose to air force chief, it drew a mixed reaction in the ranks because it marked the first time when the job was given to an infantry officer.

    He found himself in the center of a political storm in 1991.

    When members of the Communist Party’s old guard staged a hard-line coup in August of that year, briefly ousting Gorbachev and sending troops into Moscow to impose a state of emergency, Surovikin commanded one of the mechanized infantry battalions that rolled into the capital.

    Popular resistance mounted quickly, and in the final hours of the three-day coup, protesters blocked an armored convoy led by Surovikin and tried to set some of the vehicles ablaze. In a chaotic melee, two protesters were shot and a third was crushed to death by an armored vehicle.

    The coup collapsed later that day, and Surovikin was quickly arrested. He spent seven months behind bars pending an inquiry but was eventually acquitted and even promoted to major as investigators concluded that he was only fulfilling his duties.

    Another rocky moment in his career came in 1995, when Surovikin was convicted of illegal possession and trafficking of firearms while studying at a military academy. He was sentenced to a year in prison but the conviction was reversed quickly.

    He rose steadily through the ranks, commanding units deployed to the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan, leading troops sent to Chechnya and serving at other posts across Russia.

    He was appointed commander of Russian forces in Syria in 2017 and served a second stint there in 2019 as Moscow sought to prop up President Bashar Assad’s regime and help it regain ground amid a devastating civil war.

    In a 2020 report, Human Rights Watch named Surovikin, along with Putin, Assad and other figures as bearing command responsibility for violations during the 2019-20 Syrian offensive in Idlib province.

    He apparently has a temper that has not endeared him to subordinates, according to Russian media. One officer under Surovikin complained to prosecutors that the general had beaten him after becoming angry over how he voted in parliamentary elections; another subordinate reportedly shot himself. Investigators found no wrongdoing in either case.

    His track record in Syria could have been a factor behind his appointment in Ukraine, as Putin has moved to raise the stakes and reverse a series of humiliating defeats.

    Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, who has repeatedly called for ramping up strikes in Ukraine, praised Surovikin as “a real general and a warrior, well-experienced, farsighted and forceful who places patriotism, honor and dignity above all.

    “The united group of forces is now in safe hands,” the Kremlin-backed Kadyrov said, voicing confidence that he will “improve the situation.”

    ———

    Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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  • NKorea fires missile and shells, further inflaming tensions

    NKorea fires missile and shells, further inflaming tensions

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    SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea early Friday fired an additional ballistic missile and 170 rounds of artillery shells toward the sea and flew warplanes near the tense border with South Korea, further raising animosities triggered by the North’s recent barrage of weapons tests.

    The North Korean moves suggest it is reviving an old playbook of stoking fears of war with provocative weapons tests before it seeks to win greater concessions from its rivals.

    South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement the short-range missile lifted off from the North’s capital region at 1:49 a.m. Friday (1649 GMT Thursday; 12:49 p.m. EDT Thursday) and flew toward its eastern waters.

    It was North Korea’s 15th missile launch since it resumed its testing activities on Sept. 25. North Korea said Monday its recent missile tests were simulations of nuclear strikes on South Korean and U.S. targets in response to their “dangerous” military exercises involving a U.S. aircraft carrier.

    After the latest missile test, North Korea fired 130 rounds of shells off its west coast and 40 rounds off its east coast. The shells fell inside maritime buffer zones the two Koreas established under a 2018 inter-Korean agreement on reducing tensions, thus violating the accord, South Korea’s military said.

    North Korea separately flew warplanes, presumably 10 aircraft, near the rivals’ border late Thursday and early Friday, prompting South Korea to scramble fighter jets. There were no reports of clashes between the two countries.

    South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said North Korea’s provocations are becoming “indiscriminative’” but that his country has massive retaliation capabilities that can deter actual North Korean assaults to some extent.

    “The decision to attack can’t be made without a willingness to risk a brutal outcome,” Yoon told reporters. “The massive punishment and retaliation strategy, which is the final step of our three-axis strategy, would be a considerable psychological and social deterrence (for the North).”

    Maj. Gen. Kang Ho Pil of the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff later said in a televised statement that South Korea issued “a stern warning to (North Korea) to immediately halt” its weapons tests. He said South Korea has the ability to deliver an “overwhelming response” to any North Korean provocations.

    South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said Friday it imposed sanctions on 15 North Korean individuals and 16 organizations suspected of involvement in illicit activities to finance North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs. They were Seoul’s first unilateral sanctions on North Korea in five years, but observers say they are a symbolic step because the two Koreas have little financial dealings between them.

    Most of the North’s recent weapons tests were ballistic missile launches that are banned by U.N. Security Council resolutions. But the North hasn’t been slapped with fresh sanctions thanks to a divide at the U.N. over U.S. disputes with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and with China over their strategic competition.

    The missile launched Friday traveled 650-700 kilometers (403-434 miles) at a maximum altitude of 50 kilometers (30 miles) before landing in waters between the Korean Peninsula and Japan, according to South Korea and Japanese assessments.

    “Whatever the intentions are, North Korea’s repeated ballistic missile launches are absolutely impermissible and we cannot overlook its substantial advancement of missile technology,” Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada said.

    He said the missile flew on an “irregular” trajectory — a possible reference to describe the North’s highly maneuverable KN-23 weapon modeled on Russia’s Iskander missile.

    The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement the North Korean launch didn’t pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to its allies, adding that the U.S. commitments to the defense of South Korea and Japan remain “ironclad.”

    Other North Korean tests in recent weeks included a new intermediate-range missile that flew over Japan and demonstrated a potential range to reach the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam; a ballistic missile fired from an inland reservoir, a first for the country; and long-range cruise missiles.

    After Wednesday’s cruise missile launches, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the tests successfully demonstrated his military’s expanding nuclear strike capabilities. He said his nuclear forces were fully prepared for “actual war to bring enemies under their control at a blow” and vowed to expand the operational realm of his nuclear armed forces, according to North Korea’s state media.

    Some observers had predicted North Korea would likely temporarily pause its testing activities this week in consideration of its ally China, which is set to begin a major political conference Sunday to give President Xi Jinping a third five-year term as party leader.

    North Korea’s ongoing testing spree is reminiscent of its 2017 torrid run of missile and nuclear tests that prompted Kim and then U.S.-President Donald Trump to exchange threats of total destruction. Kim later abruptly entered high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with Trump in 2018 but their negotiations fell apart a year later due to wrangling over how much sanctions relief Kim should be provided in return for a partial surrender of his nuclear capability.

    Kim has repeatedly said he has no intentions of resuming the nuclear diplomacy. But some experts say he would eventually want to win international recognition of his country as a nuclear state and hold arms control talks with the United State to wrest extensive sanctions relief and other concessions in return for partial denuclearization steps.

    The urgency of North Korea’s nuclear program has grown since it passed a new law last month authorizing the preemptive use of nuclear weapons over a broad range of scenarios, including non-war situations when it may perceive its leadership as under threat.

    Most of the recent North Korean tests were mostly of short-range nuclear-capable missiles targeting South Korea. Some analysts say North Korea’s possible upcoming nuclear test, the first of in five years, would be related to efforts to manufacture battlefield tactical warheads to be placed on such short-range missiles.

    These developments sparked security jitters in South Korea, with some politicians and scholars renewing their calls for the U.S. to redeploy its tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea as deterrence against intensifying North Korean nuclear threats

    North Korea’s military early Friday accused South Korea of carrying out artillery fire for about 10 hours near the border, forcing it to take unspecified “strong military countermeasures” in response.

    South Korea’s military later confirmed it conducted artillery training at a site 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away from the Koreas’ military demarcation line and said the training did not violate the conditions of the 2018 agreement.

    ——

    Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed.

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  • US defense chief in Hawaii amid distrust after fuel spill

    US defense chief in Hawaii amid distrust after fuel spill

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    HONOLULU — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Hawaii this week amid lingering community frustration and distrust after jet fuel from a military storage facility last year spilled into Pearl Harbor’s drinking water, poisoned thousands of military families and threatened the purity of Honolulu’s water supply.

    Austin traveled to the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in the hills above Pearl Harbor on Friday and met the commander of the joint task force in charge of draining its tanks so it can be shut down.

    He also met with several families affected by the fuel spill and Hawaii state officials, the military said in a news release. The meetings were closed to the media, and Austin didn’t hold a news conference afterward.

    Outside Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, several dozen protesters held signs saying “Navy Lies” and “Shut Down Red Hill.” People driving by — including many exiting the base — honked in support.

    Samantha McCoy, whose husband is in the Air Force, said her family suffered migraines, rashes, skin sores and gastrointestinal problems that only subsided when they moved out of military housing last month.

    She called on Austin to make more medical care available to families.

    “It took four months of daily migraines to even get a referral to a neurologist. And that’s really unacceptable,” she said at the protest.

    Cheri Burness, who lives in Navy housing, won’t drink the tap water in the house she shares with her sailor husband and their two teenage children because she doesn’t believe that it’s safe 10 months after the spill.

    Her family has spent $3,000 of their own money to install filters on all the faucets in the house so they can bathe, brush their teeth and wash their dishes. She spends $70 to $100 a month to have water delivered to their home for drinking. They also use bottled water.

    She recalled how Navy leaders initially told Pearl Harbor water users their water was safe to drink after the November spill. The Navy only told people to stop drinking their tap water after the state Department of Health stepped in.

    The Navy later flushed clean water through its pipes to cleanse them. In March, the state Department of Health said the tap water in all residential areas served by the Navy’s water system was safe to drink.

    But Burness said she never got to see the reports for her house after it was tested. She was only told her water was good.

    “I don’t trust them because cause they did nothing to show me that it ever was fine,” Burness said in a telephone interview.

    A Navy investigation released in July showed a cascading series of errors, complacency and a lack of professionalism led to the fuel spill, which contaminated tap water used by 93,000 people on the Navy’s water system.

    Nearly 6,000 sought medical attention for nausea, headaches and rashes. Some continue to complain of health problems.

    The military put families up in hotels for several months, but stopped paying once the health department cleared people to resume drinking their tap water.

    Kristina Baehr, an attorney with Texas-based Just Well Law, sued the federal government last month on behalf of four families but said she will be adding more individuals from among the 700 clients she represents. Burness and McCoy are among her clients.

    “They didn’t warn them to stop drinking it, and 6,000 people went to the emergency room,” she said. “Then, many of these people have only gotten sicker over time.”

    Baehr said her clients were not among those chosen to speak to Austin. If they had such an opportunity, she said they would tell him to have officials stop saying no one is medically affected by the spill and that there are no long-term effects.

    They would also encourage him to provide appropriate medical care to families, safe housing because families claim the homes were not properly remediated, and compassionate reassignment to other bases to all those who ask.

    “A lot of people are still stuck in the houses that made them sick,” she said. “So it’s very simple, let people out of the houses that made them sick and fix the houses so that they’re safe for the next people.”

    The spill upset a broad cross-spectrum of Hawaii, from liberals to conservatives and veterans to environmentalists. Many Native Hawaiians have been angered given the centrality of water in Hawaii’s Indigenous traditions. It has also increased deep-seated distrust of the U.S. military among many Native Hawaiians that dates to the U.S. military-backed overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893.

    Dani Espiritu, who was also at Friday’s protest, said the military was taking risks with Native Hawaiian lives, land and culture.

    “All of our cultural practices are tied to aina,” she said, using the Hawaiian word for land. “And so as you poison aina and jeopardize the health and well-being of communities, you are also jeopardizing every traditional practice that are tied to those places.”

    The military plans to drain fuel from the tanks by July 2024 to comply with a Hawaii Department of Health order to shut down the facility.

    Honolulu’s water utility and the Sierra Club of Hawaii have expressed concerns about the threat Red Hill poses to Oahu’s water supply ever since 2014, when fuel leaked from one of the storage tanks. But the Navy reassured the public that their water was safe and that it was operating the storage facility properly.

    ——

    Associated Press writer Mark Thiessen in Anchorage, Alaska, contributed to this report.

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