6 New Messages
Digest #4772
1
Washington's Drive For Hegemony Is A Drive To War by "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
2
New U.S.-Russia Cold War: Winners And Losers by "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
3
Poland To Contribute To $1.73 Billion NATO Drone Program by "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
4
War Anniversary: U.S. Guided Missile Warship Arrives At Georgian Por by "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
5
Norway: NATO Completes Largest Air Force Exercise In Europe by "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
6
New Cold War: U.S. Senators Demand Expanding NATO To Include Georgia by "Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
Messages
Fri Aug 9, 2013 11:16 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.paulcraigroberts.or
Washington's Drive For Hegemony Is A Drive To War
Paul Craig Roberts
It was five years ago that the president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvilli, who was installed in power by the Washington supported “Rose Revolution,” launched a military invasion of South Ossetia, a break-away province under its own government. The Georgian attack killed Russian peace-keeping troops and numerous Ossetians.
The Russian military response overwhelmed the US trained and equipped Georgian army in 5 days to the embarrassment of Saakashvilli and his Washington sponsors.
Washington began the training and equipping of the Georgian military in 2002, and continues to conduct joint military exercises with Georgia. In March and April of this year the US again conducted joint military exercises with Georgia. Washington is pushing to have Georgia admitted as a member of NATO.
Most analysts regard it as unlikely that Saakashvilli on his own would violate the peace agreement and attack Russian troops. Certainly Saakashvilli would have cleared the aggression with his Washington sponsor.
Saakashvilli’s attempt to recover the territories was an opportunity for Washington to test Russia. Washington saw the attack as a way of embarrassing the Russian government and as a way of testing Russia’s response and military in action. If Russia did not respond, the government would be embarrassed by its failure to protect its interests and the lives of those Russia regards as citizens. If Russia did respond, Russia could be denounced, as it was by President George Bush, as a bully that invaded a “democratic country” with a Washington-installed president. Especially interesting to Washington was the ability to observe the Russian military’s tactics and operational capabilities.
North Ossetia is part of Russia. South Ossetia extends into Georgia. In 1801 Ossetia and Georgia became part of Russia and subsequently were part of the Soviet Union. Under Russian law former Soviet citizens have the right to be Russian citizens. Russia permitted Georgia to become independent, but South Ossetia and Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in the 1990s.
If Washington succeeds in installing Georgia into NATO, then an attempt by Georgia to recover what it regards as lost territories would escalate the conflict. An attack by Georgia would comprise an attack by the US and NATO against Russia. Despite the risk to Europe of being pulled into a war with Russia, this month the chief of Denmark’s Home Guard was in Georgia on Washington’s mission discussing cooperation between the defense ministries of Denmark and Georgia on regional security issues.
Georgia lies to the East of the Black Sea. What “regional security issues” does Georgia have with Denmark and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization? NATO was established to defend Western Europe against Soviet attack.
Finland and Sweden remained neutral during the Cold War, but both are now being recruited by NATO. NATO lost its purpose with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Yet, it has been greatly expanded and now includes former constituent parts of the Soviet Empire. NATO has become a cover for US military aggression and supplies troops for Washington’s wars. Georgia’s troops are fighting for Washington in Afghanistan and fought for Washington in Iraq.
Washington kept NATO alive and made it into a mercenary army that serves Washington’s world empire.
In a provocation to both Russia and China, the US is currently conducting military exercises in Mongolia. Troops from Korea and Tajikistan, formerly part of the Soviet Union, are also participating. Washington calls such operations “building interoperability between peacekeeping nations.” Obviously, foreign military forces are being incorporated into the Empire’s army.
Are Americans aware that Washington is conducting military exercises all over the world, is surrounding Russia and China with military bases, and now has an Africa Command? Have Congress and the American people signed off on Amerika Uber Alles? Shouldn’t Washington and the military/security complex be reined in before Washington’s aggression triggers a nuclear war?
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Washington's Drive For Hegemony Is A Drive To War
Paul Craig Roberts
It was five years ago that the president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvilli, who was installed in power by the Washington supported “Rose Revolution,” launched a military invasion of South Ossetia, a break-away province under its own government. The Georgian attack killed Russian peace-keeping troops and numerous Ossetians.
The Russian military response overwhelmed the US trained and equipped Georgian army in 5 days to the embarrassment of Saakashvilli and his Washington sponsors.
Washington began the training and equipping of the Georgian military in 2002, and continues to conduct joint military exercises with Georgia. In March and April of this year the US again conducted joint military exercises with Georgia. Washington is pushing to have Georgia admitted as a member of NATO.
Most analysts regard it as unlikely that Saakashvilli on his own would violate the peace agreement and attack Russian troops. Certainly Saakashvilli would have cleared the aggression with his Washington sponsor.
Saakashvilli’s attempt to recover the territories was an opportunity for Washington to test Russia. Washington saw the attack as a way of embarrassing the Russian government and as a way of testing Russia’s response and military in action. If Russia did not respond, the government would be embarrassed by its failure to protect its interests and the lives of those Russia regards as citizens. If Russia did respond, Russia could be denounced, as it was by President George Bush, as a bully that invaded a “democratic country” with a Washington-installed president. Especially interesting to Washington was the ability to observe the Russian military’s tactics and operational capabilities.
North Ossetia is part of Russia. South Ossetia extends into Georgia. In 1801 Ossetia and Georgia became part of Russia and subsequently were part of the Soviet Union. Under Russian law former Soviet citizens have the right to be Russian citizens. Russia permitted Georgia to become independent, but South Ossetia and Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in the 1990s.
If Washington succeeds in installing Georgia into NATO, then an attempt by Georgia to recover what it regards as lost territories would escalate the conflict. An attack by Georgia would comprise an attack by the US and NATO against Russia. Despite the risk to Europe of being pulled into a war with Russia, this month the chief of Denmark’s Home Guard was in Georgia on Washington’s mission discussing cooperation between the defense ministries of Denmark and Georgia on regional security issues.
Georgia lies to the East of the Black Sea. What “regional security issues” does Georgia have with Denmark and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization? NATO was established to defend Western Europe against Soviet attack.
Finland and Sweden remained neutral during the Cold War, but both are now being recruited by NATO. NATO lost its purpose with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Yet, it has been greatly expanded and now includes former constituent parts of the Soviet Empire. NATO has become a cover for US military aggression and supplies troops for Washington’s wars. Georgia’s troops are fighting for Washington in Afghanistan and fought for Washington in Iraq.
Washington kept NATO alive and made it into a mercenary army that serves Washington’s world empire.
In a provocation to both Russia and China, the US is currently conducting military exercises in Mongolia. Troops from Korea and Tajikistan, formerly part of the Soviet Union, are also participating. Washington calls such operations “building interoperability between peacekeeping nations.” Obviously, foreign military forces are being incorporated into the Empire’s army.
Are Americans aware that Washington is conducting military exercises all over the world, is surrounding Russia and China with military bases, and now has an Africa Command? Have Congress and the American people signed off on Amerika Uber Alles? Shouldn’t Washington and the military/security complex be reined in before Washington’s aggression triggers a nuclear war?
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:14 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.globaltimes.cn/
Global Times
August 9, 2013
Winners and losers in Snowden fiasco
====
Everyone knows the competition between China and the US is key to 21st century international relations. But China's strength still lags far behind that of the US. As China's comprehensive strategic partner, Russia took the initiative in the Snowden case and came to the forefront of the rivalry with the US, which shows multipolar flexibility in global geopolitics. Russia's action deserves respect from China.
====
US President Barack Obama has announced he will attend the G20 summit in St. Petersburg this September. A meeting between Russian and US defense and foreign ministers will also be scheduled for later this week in Washington. Although Obama canceled Wednesday his Moscow summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the G20 summit, it is a relatively insignificant change. The US has apparently accepted the fact that Russia granted one-year asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden. Russia has impressed the world, which views the Kremlin as the "winner" and the White House as the "loser."
This judgment is correct. In the Snowden case, all the other countries involved have become winners while the US is the sole loser. Washington put on a show of bravado, but failed to extradite Snowden in the end. By contrast, Moscow displayed its national characteristics of decisiveness and boldness and kept Washington at bay.
Many Chinese netizens believe China should have done so, but China only showed hesitation and weakness.
If China had Snowden in its care, a big change in its attitude toward Sino-US relations would have been brought and China would have had to undertake risks associated with such a change.
Yet China ostensibly chose to not interfere. Now, the decision seems to have generated better results. Some of the US' hypocritical national policies were exposed, and Snowden was not extradited to the US. International opinion is scathing of the US in information security issues. At the same time, Sino-US relations have not been greatly affected.
Moscow has consolidated its tough diplomatic attitude toward Washington and drawn closer in diplomatic status when a gap still exists in terms of the actual strength of the two. Moscow is willing to take the lead in the Snowden case and has experience in doing so. This perfectly fits Beijing's interests.
Everyone knows the competition between China and the US is key to 21st century international relations. But China's strength still lags far behind that of the US. As China's comprehensive strategic partner, Russia took the initiative in the Snowden case and came to the forefront of the rivalry with the US, which shows multipolar flexibility in global geopolitics. Russia's action deserves respect from China.
China is not willing to engage in a head-on confrontation with the US, but it has already had the ability to unite with those who can restrict the US' abuses of power. We did not confront the US directly, and this serves the long-term interests of China's diplomacy.
Washington ate the dirt this time, but it does not necessarily mean it is really awed by Moscow. In the same manner, Washington is unlikely to fear Beijing, and Beijing needn't fear Washington. What Beijing should care about most is how to maximize its interests in its relations with Washington.
Snowden can do more in a country like Russia. The performance that has disgraced the US is far from over.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Global Times
August 9, 2013
Winners and losers in Snowden fiasco
====
Everyone knows the competition between China and the US is key to 21st century international relations. But China's strength still lags far behind that of the US. As China's comprehensive strategic partner, Russia took the initiative in the Snowden case and came to the forefront of the rivalry with the US, which shows multipolar flexibility in global geopolitics. Russia's action deserves respect from China.
====
US President Barack Obama has announced he will attend the G20 summit in St. Petersburg this September. A meeting between Russian and US defense and foreign ministers will also be scheduled for later this week in Washington. Although Obama canceled Wednesday his Moscow summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the G20 summit, it is a relatively insignificant change. The US has apparently accepted the fact that Russia granted one-year asylum to National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden. Russia has impressed the world, which views the Kremlin as the "winner" and the White House as the "loser."
This judgment is correct. In the Snowden case, all the other countries involved have become winners while the US is the sole loser. Washington put on a show of bravado, but failed to extradite Snowden in the end. By contrast, Moscow displayed its national characteristics of decisiveness and boldness and kept Washington at bay.
Many Chinese netizens believe China should have done so, but China only showed hesitation and weakness.
If China had Snowden in its care, a big change in its attitude toward Sino-US relations would have been brought and China would have had to undertake risks associated with such a change.
Yet China ostensibly chose to not interfere. Now, the decision seems to have generated better results. Some of the US' hypocritical national policies were exposed, and Snowden was not extradited to the US. International opinion is scathing of the US in information security issues. At the same time, Sino-US relations have not been greatly affected.
Moscow has consolidated its tough diplomatic attitude toward Washington and drawn closer in diplomatic status when a gap still exists in terms of the actual strength of the two. Moscow is willing to take the lead in the Snowden case and has experience in doing so. This perfectly fits Beijing's interests.
Everyone knows the competition between China and the US is key to 21st century international relations. But China's strength still lags far behind that of the US. As China's comprehensive strategic partner, Russia took the initiative in the Snowden case and came to the forefront of the rivalry with the US, which shows multipolar flexibility in global geopolitics. Russia's action deserves respect from China.
China is not willing to engage in a head-on confrontation with the US, but it has already had the ability to unite with those who can restrict the US' abuses of power. We did not confront the US directly, and this serves the long-term interests of China's diplomacy.
Washington ate the dirt this time, but it does not necessarily mean it is really awed by Moscow. In the same manner, Washington is unlikely to fear Beijing, and Beijing needn't fear Washington. What Beijing should care about most is how to maximize its interests in its relations with Washington.
Snowden can do more in a country like Russia. The performance that has disgraced the US is far from over.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:14 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.wbj.pl/article-6347
Poland A.M.
August 6, 2013
Poland to contribute €40 million to NATO drone program
Poland will join NATO's plan to buy drones, a source in the organization's headquarters told Polska The Times. The country has already paid some money into the program, the source said.
The total value of NATO's drone purchase will be €1.3 billion and Poland's total share is likely to be at least €40 million, the newspaper reports. The program is to be in operation by 2017. NATO wants to buy five drones, and so far, excluding Poland, 14 countries have committed to the program.
So far, 14 countries have officially joined NATO's drone program. Poland was interested, but withdrew due to high expected costs. According to sources, it became interested again when the costs were cut.
Poland's input in the NATO drone program will amount to approximately 3 percent of the whole budget earmarked for the operation. It's similar to the sum that Poland pays for the NATO AWACS (airborne early warning and control) system. In comparison, the US pays 38 percent of the budget for AWACS. NATO wants to buy the drones because it doesn't have any of its own, and in operations like the one in Afghanistan, is forced to use US-owned ones unmanned vehicles.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Poland A.M.
August 6, 2013
Poland to contribute €40 million to NATO drone program
Poland will join NATO's plan to buy drones, a source in the organization's headquarters told Polska The Times. The country has already paid some money into the program, the source said.
The total value of NATO's drone purchase will be €1.3 billion and Poland's total share is likely to be at least €40 million, the newspaper reports. The program is to be in operation by 2017. NATO wants to buy five drones, and so far, excluding Poland, 14 countries have committed to the program.
So far, 14 countries have officially joined NATO's drone program. Poland was interested, but withdrew due to high expected costs. According to sources, it became interested again when the costs were cut.
Poland's input in the NATO drone program will amount to approximately 3 percent of the whole budget earmarked for the operation. It's similar to the sum that Poland pays for the NATO AWACS (airborne early warning and control) system. In comparison, the US pays 38 percent of the budget for AWACS. NATO wants to buy the drones because it doesn't have any of its own, and in operations like the one in Afghanistan, is forced to use US-owned ones unmanned vehicles.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:14 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.civil.ge/eng/
Civil Georgia
August 9, 2013
U.S. Warship Arriving in Batumi for 4-Day Port Call
Tbilisi: U.S. guided-missile destroyer Bulkeley (DDG 84) will arrive on August 10 in Georgia’s Black Sea port of Batumi for a four-day port call.
USS Bulkeley, which currently operates in in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility, and two Georgian coast guard cutters will participate in joint joint training exercises on August 11, according to the Georgian border police.
Joint training will also be held on August 13 before USS Bulkeley leaves the Georgian territorial waters, the border police, part of the Interior Ministry, said on Friday.
The last time when a U.S. warship made a port call in Georgia was in October, 2011 when the U.S. guided-missile cruiser Philippine Sea arrived in Batumi; before that, two U.S. guided-missile cruisers, Anzio and Monterey, made separate port calls in Batumi in June, 2011.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Civil Georgia
August 9, 2013
U.S. Warship Arriving in Batumi for 4-Day Port Call
Tbilisi: U.S. guided-missile destroyer Bulkeley (DDG 84) will arrive on August 10 in Georgia’s Black Sea port of Batumi for a four-day port call.
USS Bulkeley, which currently operates in in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility, and two Georgian coast guard cutters will participate in joint joint training exercises on August 11, according to the Georgian border police.
Joint training will also be held on August 13 before USS Bulkeley leaves the Georgian territorial waters, the border police, part of the Interior Ministry, said on Friday.
The last time when a U.S. warship made a port call in Georgia was in October, 2011 when the U.S. guided-missile cruiser Philippine Sea arrived in Batumi; before that, two U.S. guided-missile cruisers, Anzio and Monterey, made separate port calls in Batumi in June, 2011.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:14 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://www.dvidshub.net/news/1
Arctic Tigers Awake: World class training a success at NATO Tiger Meet
NATO E-3A Component
====
NATO Tiger Meet 2013 was not only this year’s largest exercise, but also the largest Tiger Meet in the 50 year history of the NATO Tiger Association. Even though very traditional squadrons have been decommissioned over the years, the community has still continues to grow. The Hungarian Air Force 591st Squadron, the Polish 6th Squadron and both Eurofighter squadrons of German Fighter Wing 74 are the newest Tiger Community members.
"With the setup here in Orland, the very large exercise area and the changing exercise scenarios we can guarantee this. Compared to NATO Tiger Meet 2012, we have put even more emphasis on Joint Operations between army, navy, and air force.”
====
MAIN AIR STATION, Norway: This summer, Main Air Station (MAS) Ørland, Norway, hosted the largest Air Force exercise in Europe.
For two weeks, roughly 70 aircraft from 13 nations practiced the execution of combined air operations and the interaction and cooperation between squadrons and the Norwegian Joint Headquarter (NJHQ). This was augmented by national Norwegian assets, ground forces, and during week one, three ships from the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Twice a day, up to 60 aircraft and helicopters launched and executed Composite Air Operations (COMAO) in the exercise area, which extended 450 km x 180 km mainly over sea, but also over sparsely populated areas of land.
This exercise was controlled mainly by two E-3As operated by the NATO E-3A Component, Squadron 1 Tigers in cooperation with the local Norwegian Deployable Air Control Unit (D-ACU). Exercise control logged a total of 812 combat training missions amongst the participating 20 Squadrons of NATO and PfP (Partnership for Peace) countries.
Squadron 1 deployed for two weeks to the Component’s forward operating location in Orland with 50 personnel to include main operating base maintenance. With the outstanding support of Lt. Col. Per Birger Mathisen and his team is Norway, the Squadron 1 detachment was able to fly a total of 14 flights controlling up to 58 aircraft simultaneously on various COMAOs.
For the third time, Royal Norwegian Air Force’s 338th Squadron and 138th Air Wing hosted the NATO Tiger Meet, welcoming more than 800 flight crews, technicians and support personnel.
,,,
NATO Tiger Meet 2013 was not only this year’s largest exercise, but also the largest Tiger Meet in the 50 year history of the NATO Tiger Association. Even though very traditional squadrons have been decommissioned over the years, the community has still continues to grow. The Hungarian Air Force 591st Squadron, the Polish 6th Squadron and both Eurofighter squadrons of German Fighter Wing 74 are the newest Tiger Community members.
The exercise scenario concentrate on airborne operations...
One of the overarching objectives of this year's NATO Tiger Meet was on interoperability and the ability to successfully interact with foreign nations in a foreign environment.
“It is an important aspect that we create an opportunity, so exercise participants can operate in a multinational environment,” articulated Exercise Director, Brig. Gen. Tom Guttormsen. “One of the keys to success for a successful exercise and real operations is interoperability. With the setup here in Orland, the very large exercise area and the changing exercise scenarios we can guarantee this. Compared to NATO Tiger Meet 2012, we have put even more emphasis on Joint Operations between army, navy, and air force.”
Besides forces from the Royal Norwegian Army with their Air-Defense Missile System NASAMS (Network Centric Air Defense System), the Royal Norwegian Navy participated with one Frigate and two Corvettes.
For the future of NATO Tiger Meets, General Guttormsen has one important vision.
"We have to provide our squadrons the best training possible with special emphasis on their individual training requirements,” he explained. “Outside the operational aspect it is moreover important to keep up the well established traditions of the NATO Tiger Association.”
...
For aircrews, this large exercise is one of the best opportunities to broaden one's view outside the own unit because it is one of the best and most intense challenges in aviation. Aircrew personnel were able to participate in a joint and combined exercise and learn about the working processes and skills of their fellow comrades. Moreover, it offered the unique opportunity for experiencing a different airframe from within and often tied bonds that extend beyond the line of duty into personal friendships.
The Tiger Community is looking forward to exercising together again at NATO Tiger Meet 2014 hosted by the German Reconnaissance Wing 51 “Immelmann”.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Arctic Tigers Awake: World class training a success at NATO Tiger Meet
NATO E-3A Component
====
NATO Tiger Meet 2013 was not only this year’s largest exercise, but also the largest Tiger Meet in the 50 year history of the NATO Tiger Association. Even though very traditional squadrons have been decommissioned over the years, the community has still continues to grow. The Hungarian Air Force 591st Squadron, the Polish 6th Squadron and both Eurofighter squadrons of German Fighter Wing 74 are the newest Tiger Community members.
"With the setup here in Orland, the very large exercise area and the changing exercise scenarios we can guarantee this. Compared to NATO Tiger Meet 2012, we have put even more emphasis on Joint Operations between army, navy, and air force.”
====
MAIN AIR STATION, Norway: This summer, Main Air Station (MAS) Ørland, Norway, hosted the largest Air Force exercise in Europe.
For two weeks, roughly 70 aircraft from 13 nations practiced the execution of combined air operations and the interaction and cooperation between squadrons and the Norwegian Joint Headquarter (NJHQ). This was augmented by national Norwegian assets, ground forces, and during week one, three ships from the Royal Norwegian Navy.
Twice a day, up to 60 aircraft and helicopters launched and executed Composite Air Operations (COMAO) in the exercise area, which extended 450 km x 180 km mainly over sea, but also over sparsely populated areas of land.
This exercise was controlled mainly by two E-3As operated by the NATO E-3A Component, Squadron 1 Tigers in cooperation with the local Norwegian Deployable Air Control Unit (D-ACU). Exercise control logged a total of 812 combat training missions amongst the participating 20 Squadrons of NATO and PfP (Partnership for Peace) countries.
Squadron 1 deployed for two weeks to the Component’s forward operating location in Orland with 50 personnel to include main operating base maintenance. With the outstanding support of Lt. Col. Per Birger Mathisen and his team is Norway, the Squadron 1 detachment was able to fly a total of 14 flights controlling up to 58 aircraft simultaneously on various COMAOs.
For the third time, Royal Norwegian Air Force’s 338th Squadron and 138th Air Wing hosted the NATO Tiger Meet, welcoming more than 800 flight crews, technicians and support personnel.
,,,
NATO Tiger Meet 2013 was not only this year’s largest exercise, but also the largest Tiger Meet in the 50 year history of the NATO Tiger Association. Even though very traditional squadrons have been decommissioned over the years, the community has still continues to grow. The Hungarian Air Force 591st Squadron, the Polish 6th Squadron and both Eurofighter squadrons of German Fighter Wing 74 are the newest Tiger Community members.
The exercise scenario concentrate on airborne operations...
One of the overarching objectives of this year's NATO Tiger Meet was on interoperability and the ability to successfully interact with foreign nations in a foreign environment.
“It is an important aspect that we create an opportunity, so exercise participants can operate in a multinational environment,” articulated Exercise Director, Brig. Gen. Tom Guttormsen. “One of the keys to success for a successful exercise and real operations is interoperability. With the setup here in Orland, the very large exercise area and the changing exercise scenarios we can guarantee this. Compared to NATO Tiger Meet 2012, we have put even more emphasis on Joint Operations between army, navy, and air force.”
Besides forces from the Royal Norwegian Army with their Air-Defense Missile System NASAMS (Network Centric Air Defense System), the Royal Norwegian Navy participated with one Frigate and two Corvettes.
For the future of NATO Tiger Meets, General Guttormsen has one important vision.
"We have to provide our squadrons the best training possible with special emphasis on their individual training requirements,” he explained. “Outside the operational aspect it is moreover important to keep up the well established traditions of the NATO Tiger Association.”
...
For aircrews, this large exercise is one of the best opportunities to broaden one's view outside the own unit because it is one of the best and most intense challenges in aviation. Aircrew personnel were able to participate in a joint and combined exercise and learn about the working processes and skills of their fellow comrades. Moreover, it offered the unique opportunity for experiencing a different airframe from within and often tied bonds that extend beyond the line of duty into personal friendships.
The Tiger Community is looking forward to exercising together again at NATO Tiger Meet 2014 hosted by the German Reconnaissance Wing 51 “Immelmann”.
==============================
Stop NATO e-mail list home page with archives and search engine:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/
Stop NATO website and articles:
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.co
To subscribe for individual e-mails or the daily digest, unsubscribe, and otherwise change subscription status:
stopnato-subscribe@yahoogroups
==============================
Sat Aug 10, 2013 5:24 am (PDT) . Posted by:
"Rick Rozoff" rwrozoff
http://en.trend.az/regions/sca
Trend News Agency
August 10, 2013
U.S. senators propose to accept Georgia into NATO
N. Kirtzkhalia
Tbilisi: U.S. senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham supported the expansion of the so-called Magnitsky list, the idea of placing missile defence elements in Europe, as well as beginning a new round of NATO enlargement.
According to Georgian media outlets, the senators issued a joint statement, made "in the spirit of the Cold War", in which they urged to "develop a more realistic approach to relations with Russia".
The senators also supported the decision of the U.S. President Barack Obama to cancel his visit to Moscow. At the same time, according to the senators, the U.S. government should leave alone symbolic gestures and take steps to develop a more realistic approach in relations with Russia.
According to the senators, Washington should considerably expand the Magnitsky list, take steps to deploy missile defence elements in Europe and quickly move to a new round of NATO enlargement, including accepting Georgia into the alliance.
Trend News Agency
August 10, 2013
U.S. senators propose to accept Georgia into NATO
N. Kirtzkhalia
Tbilisi: U.S. senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham supported the expansion of the so-called Magnitsky list, the idea of placing missile defence elements in Europe, as well as beginning a new round of NATO enlargement.
According to Georgian media outlets, the senators issued a joint statement, made "in the spirit of the Cold War", in which they urged to "develop a more realistic approach to relations with Russia".
The senators also supported the decision of the U.S. President Barack Obama to cancel his visit to Moscow. At the same time, according to the senators, the U.S. government should leave alone symbolic gestures and take steps to develop a more realistic approach in relations with Russia.
According to the senators, Washington should considerably expand the Magnitsky list, take steps to deploy missile defence elements in Europe and quickly move to a new round of NATO enlargement, including accepting Georgia into the alliance.