Tag: Department Of Defense

Lift off: Use of high-altitude platforms gain traction in US Army

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army has for years experimented with high-altitude balloons and long-endurance, fixed-wing, solar-powered platforms capable of operating in the stratosphere. Now the service is pursuing prototyping efforts that could lead to programs of record, including one able to deploy launched effects.

Lift off: Use of high-altitude platforms gain traction in US Army

Related:

What The U.S. Army Plans For High-Altitude Balloons, Solar Aircraft

SMDC’s Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence actively works across the Pentagon to find high-altitude platforms, payloads and command-and-control capabilities for the service. This includes small, tactical balloons for payloads such as extended-range communications up to large, stratospheric balloons, according to a command fact sheet. In April 2022, for example, U.S. Army soldiers launched a Thunderhead High-Altitude Balloon System during exercise Balikatan 22 in the Philippines.*

*Flynn for balloons. Guess there is a different standard for the US gov?

None of the 14 Navy Officers Named in Red Hill Toxic Fuel Spill Disaster Were Fired, Suspended, Had Pay Docked or Reduced in Rank

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)2 Comments

Almost two years after the Navy’s massive jet fuel spill from the 80-year-old Red Hill underground fuel tank facility and one month before the October 16, 2023 defueling begins of the 104 million gallons remaining in 14 of the 20 massive fuel tanks, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has finally held 14 Navy officials “accountable” for the Red Hill disaster, but he did not fire, suspend, dock the pay or reduce the rank of any of the 14 for the toxic contamination of the drinking water of 93,000 and the pollution in the aquifer for the city of Honolulu!!!!

None of the 14 Navy Officers Named in Red Hill Toxic Fuel Spill Disaster Were Fired, Suspended, Had Pay Docked or Reduced in Rank

Related:

WATCH: Fuel Spewed ‘Full Blast’ Into Red Hill Tunnel In November

US preparing to officially designate military takeover in Niger as a coup d’etat after months of delay, officials say

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

The US State Department is preparing to officially designate the military takeover in Niger as a coup d’etat as soon as next week, three US officials told CNN, a decision which could have dramatic implications on the ability of the US to work with a crucial counter-terrorism partner in the region.

US preparing to officially designate military takeover in Niger as a coup d’etat after months of delay, officials say

Previously:

After US Resumes Drone Flights, in Niger, France Withdraws Troops

Humor in the Headlines Over China in Latin America

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times
“As China arrives with a splash in Honduras, the US wrings its hands”- Washington Post, October 2, 2023

In a break from its hysterical coverage of the existential threat posed by Donald Trump, the Washington Post – house organ of the Democratic National Committee – cautions us of the other menace, China. “When the leader of this impoverished Central American country visited Beijing in June,” we are warned, “China laid out the warmest of welcomes.”

Humor in the Headlines Over China in Latin America

Related (Archived):

The U.S. Defense Department’s Role in the Honduras Coup

Peru Won’t Force Contested Mining Projects on Communities

US Alarmed by China’s Big Steps in America’s Backyard

Robbers ‘Loot’ Russian Missiles Left Behind In Chernihiv; Ukrainian Police Bust Bizarre Theft, Arrest Culprits

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Robbers ‘Loot’ Russian Missiles Left Behind In Chernihiv; Ukrainian Police Bust Bizarre Theft, Arrest Culprits

Tor is a short-range, all-weather, low to medium-range surface-to-air missile system deployed in Ukraine. Both combatants have used the weapon system and its various upgraded and modernized variants in the ongoing war. Ukrainian forces destroyed several Russian Tor air defense systems throughout the war.

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This is the second time in a week that such bizarre theft has come to light. Earlier this week, the National Police in Kyiv had disclosed the seizure of weapons and detained a man who they claim had “a significant amount” of arms hidden in an apartment and a garage.

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Controversy has unfolded in Ukraine regarding criminals and arms traffickers stealing weaponry sent from Western equipment stock meant for the Ukrainian troops that are perpetually in need of armed support, whether Western or Soviet-origin arms, to fight against the Russians.

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According to a Defense Department inspector general report* that came to light in July this year, criminals, volunteer fighters, and arms traffickers took some Western-provided weaponry and equipment meant for Ukrainian troops last year before it was found.

Related:

*The DoD’s Accountability of Equipment Provided to Ukraine (DODIG-2023-002)

Stolen Surface-To-Air Missiles Found In Kyiv Garage