Category: Military

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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg awarded with the CIOR Medal

Source: NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was awarded the CIOR 75th Anniversary Medal in a ceremony at the NATO Headquarters on Tuesday (14 November 2023).

The CIOR Medal is awarded by the President of the Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) and is given to “individuals, whose contribution to CIOR’s work or promoting and developing reserve forces has been most outstanding.” The Secretary General received the medal in recognition of his “contribution in promoting and developing reserve forces in the armed forces of the Alliance.” The Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer was also awarded the CIOR 75th Anniversary Medal during the same day.

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NATO strengthens situational awareness with next generation of command and control aircraft

Source: NATO

NATO has selected its next generation command and control aircraft as the Alliance’s existing Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS) fleet nears retirement. Production of the six new Boeing’s E-7A Wedgetail aircraft is set to begin in the coming years, with the first aircraft expected to be ready for operational duty by 2031. A consortium of Allies gave their approval to the project, one of NATO’s biggest-ever capability purchases, this month.

“Surveillance and control aircraft are crucial for NATO’s collective defence and I welcome Allies’ commitment to investing in high-end capabilities,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. “By pooling resources, Allies can buy and operate major assets collectively that would be too expensive for individual countries to purchase. This investment in state-of-the-art technology shows the strength of transatlantic defence cooperation as we continue to adapt to a more unstable world”.
 
The E-7 Wedgetail is an advanced early warning and control aircraft that provides situational awareness and command and control functions. Equipped with a powerful radar, the aircraft can detect hostile aircraft, missiles and ships at great distances and can direct NATO fighter jets to their targets. The United States, the United Kingdom and Türkiye also either fly the Wedgetail or plan to operate it. It is based on a militarised version of the 737 jetliner. 

NATO has operated a fleet of E-3A Airborne Warning and Control (AWACS) aircraft since the 1980s. Based at Geilenkirchen airbase in Germany, the AWACS have flown in every major NATO operation, including the fight against ISIS as well as on NATO’s eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The E-7 is expected to have its main base at Geilenkirchen and could operate from several forward locations across Europe. The Wedgetail will be part of the Alliance’s future surveillance and control project which will field NATO’s next generation of surveillance systems from the mid-2030s.

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12th Marine Regiment Redesignates to 12th Marine Littoral Regiment

Source: United States Marines

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan —

12th Marine Regiment redesignated to 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) on November 15, 2023, during a ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. This redesignation is the first step in the process outlined in January’s Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) announcement that reinforces the enduring commitment of the U.S. to the defense of Japan and to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the storied history of the 12th Marine Regiment as they redesignate to the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment,” said Maj. Gen. Christian Wortman, commanding general of the 3d Marine Division. “12th MLR is poised to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, with a vigilant eye on the horizon and a steadfast resolve to protect our nation and support the defense of Japan.”

While forward stationed in Okinawa, Japan, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment will integrate with the Joint Force and the capabilities of our allies and partners, supporting deterrence efforts, and remaining prepared to respond to potential crises.

“12th MLR represents a vital evolution of our mission and capabilities.,” said Col. Peter Eltringham, commanding officer of 12th Marine Littoral Regiment. “We’re proud to be here in the First Island Chain, and a force prepared to respond to contingencies wherever and whenever required. It is our pledge to guard and advance the 12th Marines legacy of honor, fidelity and valor, now as the 12th MLR.”

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Department of the Air Force reimburses spouse-owned small business costs accrued during PCS, PCA

Source: United States Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force is now reimbursing service members up to $1,000 to re-establish spouse-owned small businesses during a permanent change of station or assignment on or after Dec. 23, 2022.

“Spouse employment is a key factor in the success of our Airmen and Guardians. Dual-income households contribute to military readiness, allowing service members to focus on their mission. Investing in our spouses’ careers is not just the right thing to do, it makes our Airmen and Guardians’ service possible,” said Alex Wagner, assistant secretary of the Air Force Manpower and Reserve Affairs. “This effort will also help ease the burden of relocations and facilitate the ability of our members’ spouses to return to work quickly.”

The spouse-owned small business reimbursement applies to PCS or PCA orders on or after Dec. 23, 2022; members must file a claim within 24 months of the date the PCS or PCA orders are authenticated.

This new reimbursement can be used in conjunction with the existing $1,000 reimbursement for spouses who required re-certification or re-licensing, increasing the possible total reimbursement up to $2,000.

Members are encouraged to contact their installation’s Military & Family Readiness Center with questions about eligibility and how to submit a claim. The service member’s servicing finance office will work with both the member and their spouse to verify eligibility and provide necessary documentation of qualified expenses to begin the reimbursement process.

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Romania’s Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre hosts the first NATO Resilience Course for Civil Experts

Source: NATO

In collaboration with the Euro-Atlantic Resilience Centre in Bucharest, NATO held the first edition of the NATO Resilience Course for Civil Experts, from 6 to 10 November 2023. The course involved 25 subject-matter experts who provide expertise across NATO’s seven Baseline Requirements for national resilience, covering civil protection, communications, transportation, mass movement, health, energy, food and water supply.

The course is a part of the NATO 2030 agenda to support Allies’ commitment to resilience. It is delivered through enhanced engagement, training and education for NATO Resilience Civil Experts. The NATO Civil Experts pool is comprised of nearly 500 subject-matter experts with in-depth knowledge on matters related to NATO’s seven Baseline Requirements for resilience and provides a unique capability for Allies and partners to access.

The course helps prepare NATO Civil Experts in providing consultations for Allied nations, in implementing the Alliance Resilience Objectives that were endorsed at the Vilnius Summit. These experts also provide support to NATO partner nations in their resilience building efforts.

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NATO Secretary General addresses protection of critical undersea infrastructure, support to Ukraine with EU Defence Ministers

Source: NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union with EU Defence Ministers in Brussels on Tuesday (14 November 2023) to discuss the protection of critical undersea infrastructure and the importance of continued support to Ukraine.

The Secretary General stressed that the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines last year and the recent damage to the Balticconnector pipeline and cables show that infrastructure is vulnerable, and that threats are real and developing.

Since these incidents, NATO has stepped up air and naval patrols and increased presence in the Baltic and North Seas. At the Vilnius Summit in July, Allies agreed to establish a new centre on critical undersea infrastructure at NATO’s Maritime Command in the United Kingdom. NATO and the European Union have also established a task force on the resilience of critical infrastructure. “Critical infrastructure is important, and it’s an area where we once again see the relevance and importance of cooperation between the NATO and the European Union,” said the Secretary General.

On the situation in Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg highlighted that intense fighting continues. “The situation on the battlefield is difficult. And that just makes it even more important that we sustain and step up our support for Ukraine because we cannot allow President Putin to win,” said the Secretary General. “Ukraine must prevail as a sovereign independent nation in Europe and it’s in our interest to support Ukraine,” he said.

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Readout of 48th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting between Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and Chairman of the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Kim Seung-Kyum

Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

November 12, 2023

SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Chairman of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff GEN. Kim Seung-Kyum at the ROK JCS Headquarters today during the 48th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting (MCM)..

This marks Gen. Brown’s first visit to the Republic of Korea since he took office on October 1, 2023.

GEN. Kim and LtGen Jin Young-Seung, Chief Director of J5, ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, represented the ROK delegation.  Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joined Gen. Brown as part of the U.S. delegation.  Gen. Paul LaCamera, Commander, United Nations Command (UNC), Combined Forces Command (CFC), and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), represented the U.S.-ROK CFC. 

During the discussions, Gen. Brown and Gen. Kim recognized the significance of the ironclad U.S. – ROK alliance reaching its 70thanniversary. This important milestone underscores the shared sacrifice and commitment of the alliance in maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The two leaders discussed key regional and peninsular security concerns, including the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) continuous provocations, including missile launches and nuclear threat, and key security issues that destabilize peace and security in the region.  Gen. Brown reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to extended deterrence and the defense of the ROK.

Both leaders also acknowledged the meaningful progress made in the conditions-based operational control (OPCON) transition plan, to include completing this year’s annual U.S.-ROK bilateral evaluations concerning capabilities and systems.

The two leaders shared the importance of developing an ever-stronger mutual defense relationship and affirmed in the strongest words possible their commitment to the combined defense posture under the U.S. – ROK Mutual Defense Treaty. The United States and the ROK are committed to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and the region.

The MCM is part of the U.S. – ROK bilateral consultation process, which convenes annually or as required.  The committee provides strategic direction and operational guidance to the CFC in defense of the ROK and addresses Alliance military issues.  The United States and the ROK have alternated hosting this meeting in Washington, D.C. and Seoul, since it first convened in 1978. 

For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
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Luke AFB advances training during Exercise Desert Hammer

Source: United States Air Force

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFNS) —  

The 56th Fighter Wing conducted Instructor Pilot War Day in conjunction with a larger joint-force exercise hosted by the 944th Fighter Wing, Exercise Desert Hammer, Nov. 3-4, over the Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona.

“The purpose of IP War Day is to guarantee that our operators preserve an elite standard of tactical skill and that our instructor pilots can translate insights from the large-scale exercise into regular training for their students,” said U.S Air Force Col. Matthew Johnston, 56th Operations Group commander. “This exercise solidifies the tactical readiness of our Airmen and affirms their expertise, reinforcing our commitment to training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen.” 

“IP War Day is a testament to our commitment of advancing training and readiness,” said U.S. Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. William Wisehart, 944th Operations Group deputy commander. “This exercise not only reinforces our operational capabilities but also strengthens our community ties, aligning with our mission to train combat ready Airmen and foster enduring partnerships.” 

The exercise’s primary intent was to maintain and enhance tactical proficiency, particularly focusing on air-to-air defensive maneuvers in a variety of combat scenarios and contested areas. It aimed to bolster coordination and readiness among the various units, ensuring that aircrews are adept and prepared for the agile deployment of airpower in future operations.