Thursday, April 15, 2021

Partnerships Are Vital to U.S. Military, Security Challenges in Europe

 April 15, 2021 | BY Terri Moon Cronk , DOD News

U.S. partnerships and alliances are critical to combatting unwelcome actions by adversaries, such as those stemming from Russian aggression, two key defense officials told the House Armed Services Committee today.

Cargo is loaded onto an airplane bound for Turkey.

The United States today informed the Russian government of its intent to hold Russia accountable for a pattern of malign behavior that includes efforts to influence the outcome of the 2020 presidential election; the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service's compromise of SolarWinds software; and the main intelligence directorate's efforts to encourage attacks on U.S. and coalition personnel in Afghanistan, Laura K. Cooper, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia said.

"The president is taking hard-and-fast action with appropriately tailored responses to provide a clear signal of our resolve without escalation," she said. 

The United States must continue to take an active role in the region by maintaining a ready and capable force, investing in NATO, and promoting a network of like-minded allies and partners.
Laura K. Cooper, deputy assistant secretary of defense, Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia

Cooper appeared before the committee with Air Force Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander of the U.S. European Command, to discuss the national security challenges and U.S. force posture in the U.S. European Command area of operation.

Russia's aggression in eastern Ukraine and its pattern of destabilizing behaviors are examples of the increasingly challenging international security situation, Cooper said. 

"The United States is increasingly concerned about Russia's military buildup of forces along Ukraine's border and in occupied Crimea," she told committee members. "Russia now has more troops on the border with Ukraine than at any time since 2014." She added the Defense Department will continue to support Ukraine's long-term defense capacity and provide security assistance so the country can more effectively defend itself against Russian aggression.

"To compete in this new landscape, [DOD] is heeding the call of the interim national security strategic guidance and engaging our transatlantic friends with renewed vigor, reclaiming our place in international institutions, and revitalizing America's unmatched network of allies and partners," Cooper said. 

Ships sail on the open sea.

To meet the security challenges of the NATO alliance, DOD will continue to work with allies to reinvigorate and modernize the alliance's shared responsibilities and investments equitably, increase allied speed of decision making, and improve military mobility across Europe to improve collective readiness, she said.

Deterrence requires combat-credible, forward-deployed conventional forces to bolster the alliance's deterrence and defense posture to prevent Russian aggression, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is conducting a comprehensive DOD-wide global posture review to best align U.S. overseas forces' presence with presidential national security priorities, Cooper said.

"Our objective is to ensure our broad and deep network of alliances and partnerships endures," she said. "The United States must continue to take an active role in the region by maintaining a ready and capable force, investing in NATO, and promoting a network of like-minded allies and partners.

"We work closely with our allies and partners to address the evolving challenges posed by our adversaries to secure peace and protect our interest abroad," Wolters said.

NATO remains the strategic center of gravity and the foundation of deterrence and assurance in Europe, he said. "Everything we do is about generating peace: We compete to win, we deter, and, if deterrence fails, we're prepared to respond to aggression with the full weight of the transatlantic Alliance."

The United States' relationship with European allies and partners remains a key strategic advantage, and we must defend it, Wolters said.

Airmen, shown from behind, sit in the darkened cockpit of an aircraft in flight.


"Success and 21st century warfare demands we embrace competition and all of its associated activities below the level of armed conflict. This is actually as critical as preparations for crisis or conflict themselves. We're in an era of strategic competition, and winning in this era is all about ensuring that strategic competition does not morph into a global conflict."

This summer, when Eucom conducts its Defender-series exercises, allies and partners from all warfare domains will demonstrate their ability to "lift and shift" massive forces over large swaths of territory at speed and scale for the eastern periphery of the European continent, Wolters said.

"Our current security posture is strong, yet challenged as evidenced with respect to the activities in Ukraine," he said. "We possess combat credible capability across all domains — air, land, sea, space and cyber. We will maintain and work to hone this capability to deter our adversaries."

Meritorious Moment

 

Navy Cmdr. Diane Cua, commanding officer of the guided missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur, receives the Meritorious Service Medal from Capt. Chase Sargeant, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 15, during a change of command ceremony in Yokosuka, Japan, April 14, 2021.

General Officer Announcement

 April 15, 2021


Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced today that the president has made the following nomination:

Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert I. Miller for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as surgeon general of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.  Miller is currently serving as director, medical operations and research, Office of the Surgeon General of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Falls Church, Virginia.

Standing Watch

 

Navy Operations Specialists 2nd Class Daniela Mireles, left, and Haley Fuentes, stand watch in the combat information center aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge during operations in the Atlantic Ocean, April 12, 2021.

Wet Descent

 

Sailors and Military Sealift Command search and rescue swimmers participate in joint training in Gaeta, Italy, April 13, 2021.

Fuel Flight

 

A U.S. KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel an aircraft during operations with NATO allies near Constanta, Romania, April 10, 2021.

Thunderbolt Refuel

 

Michigan Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Tami Morgan prepares to refuel an A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 12, 2021.

Sentry Savannah

 

Air Force fighter jets line up on the flightline in Savannah, Ga., April 14, 2021, during Sentry Savannah 2021, the Air National Guard’s largest air-to-air fighter exercise.

All Aboard

 

Army Spc. Collin Holmes prepares to board a CH-47 Chinook during aerial movement training in Williamsport, Pa., April 9, 2021.

Rappel Ready

 

A soldier descends from a rappel tower during air assault school at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa., April 14, 2021.

Scaling at Sea

 

A Marine fast-ropes during a training exercise aboard the USS Makin Island in the South China Sea, April 12, 2021.

Full Replenishment

 

Navy sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower conduct a replenishment-at-sea with the fast-combat support ship USNS Arctic in the Arabian Sea, April 13, 2021.

Rough Waters

 

Coast Guardsmen and sailors participate in a noncompliant vessel pursuit tactics exercise in an inflatable boat in the Atlantic Ocean, April 1, 2021.

Dusty Drive-In

 

Airmen drive a tactical vehicle onto an Air Force C-130J Super Hercules during a rapid medical evacuation training exercise in Djibouti, April 7, 2021.

Night Fall

 

Soldiers conduct a night airborne operation onto Malemute drop zone at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 6, 2021.

Fast Fire

 

A Washington Army National Guardsman fires at a target during live-fire and tactical movement training at Yakima Training Center, Wash., March 4, 2021.

U.S. Must Get 'On the Field' in Arctic to Defend National Interests There

 April 15, 2021 | BY C. Todd Lopez , DOD News

As changes in climate affect ice melt, opportunities are developing in the Arctic for both resource development and transportation. Russia is already there defending what's theirs and seeking out new opportunities. China is a player as well, as a "near-Arctic nation." But the U.S. is going to need to develop more "persistence" in the region if it wants to be a player there, according to the commander of U.S. Northern Command.

A submarine is surfaced near a large sheet of ice. Snow is piled up on top of the submarine.

"To compete in the Arctic, you have to be on the field," said Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, who also commands the North American Aerospace Defense Command, during a hearing yesterday before the House Armed Services Committee. "And currently, our capabilities, I would assess that we're in the game plan development [stage]. We're not able to have the persistence that I need to compete day-to-day in the Arctic."

The general said the U.S. military, along with the Canadian Armed Forces, are now in the early stages of modernization in building additional military capabilities in the Arctic. A priority for VanHerck, he said, is domain awareness.

A tiny military camp is surrounded by a vast expanse of snow.

"It starts with the ability to communicate and provide data and information so that we can operate and have persistence in the Arctic," he said, thanking lawmakers for $46 million in funding the department received toward that effort.

It's incumbent upon us to be persistent, working with allies and partners and like-minded nations to ensure that we maintain the consistency of the international rules-based norms and laws that have served us well over time.''
Air Force Gen. Glen D. VanHerck, Commander, U.S. Northern Command

He said the U.S. currently has 10 satellites in orbit that help with that domain awareness, and about 100 more of those satellites will come in the future.

But communications and domain awareness are only part of the picture, he said. Perhaps even more critical is actually having presence on the water there.

"To be persistent, you also have to be on the playing field and that requires fuel so that Coast Guard cutters, Navy destroyers and cruisers, can remain persistent in the Arctic," he said.

Eerie green lights streak across a dark sky.

Right now VanHerck said he has a requirement for fuel at Dutch Harbor, Alaska — in the Aleutian Islands — that will help with that persistence and will also provide infrastructure for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platforms and fighter aircraft.

All of that, he said, will help the U.S. better compete in the Arctic and continue to be aware of Russian activities in the region.

VanHerck said Russia pulls about a quarter of its gross domestic product from its activities in the Arctic. Moreover, they have reopened and strengthened Cold War military installations that were once shuttered. "They absolutely have a vested interest in the Arctic, and they also want to ensure that it's secure for their efforts, if you will," he said.

A man’s face is almost obscured by winter clothing and a snow-dusted mask.

China is not actually in the Arctic, but considers itself a "near Arctic" nation and seeks increased influence there, Both Russia and China are interested in changing international rules-based norms to better serve themselves, he said.

"It's incumbent upon us to be persistent, working with allies and partners and like-minded nations to ensure that we maintain the consistency of the international rules-based norms and laws that have served us well over time," he said.

Tactical Team

 

Sailors simulate navigating a littoral combat ship inside an integrated tactical team trainer at the Center for Surface Combat Systems training facility in San Diego, April 6, 2021.

Powerful and Inspiring Film That Shares a Battle with Faith, Forgiveness and PTSD, Releasing to Home Entertainment

MY BROTHER’S KEEPER 

Available on DVD and VOD May 11 

Franklin, TN - After an incredible theatrical launch as venues re-opened throughout the US, the feature-length drama MY BROTHER’S KEEPER is preparing to release to home entertainment.  In a partnership between Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and Collide Distribution, MY BROTHER’S KEEPER will release on DVD and all major VOD platforms on May 11, 2021. The film shares a powerful story of faith and forgiveness in the wake of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

MY BROTHER’S KEEPER was directed by Kevan Otto (A QUESTION OF FAITH, FORGIVEN) and written by US Army Veteran Ty Manns (A QUESTION OF FAITH, THE 5TH QUARTER).  The film stars TC Stallings (WAR ROOM, A QUESTION OF FAITH), Joey Lawrence (Melissa & Joey, Blossom, Hawaii Five-0), Robert Ri’chard (COACH CARTER, Empire), and Keshia Knight Pulliam (The Cosby Show).

“It was so encouraging that many theaters across the US re-opened their theaters with MY BROTHER’S KEEPER, a desperately needed story of hope,” shares Manns. “It is also an incredible honor that the film was able to play on military bases and at the National Infantry Museum. We pray that, as the film becomes available to larger audiences through home entertainment, the story continues to give encouragement to those struggling with issues of PTSD, forgiveness, and loss. A reminder that, no matter what the situation, there is always hope."

FILM SYNOPSIS:  

MY BROTHER’S KEEPER shares the story of returning war veteran SFC Travis Fox (TC Stallings) who has one more battle to fight - PTSD.  Fox and his best friend SFC Ron “Preach” Pearcy (Joey Lawrence) are in their 6th combat deployment when Preach and his entire Ranger platoon are killed in a deadly improvised explosive device attack. Travis returns to his hometown to settle the affairs of his parents who had passed away years before. In searching for answers about his parents, he also discovers a new obstacle in PTSD. He finds support from church counselor, Tiffany Robertson (Keshia Knight-Pulliam) and slowly begins to rediscover his faith in God, until he discovers a secret. Travis uncovers a secret hidden by his best friend Donnie Berry (Robert Ri’chard) that threatens his new-found faith, restores his guilt, and causes him to consider the unthinkable.

View the trailer here

About Manns Mackie Studios: 

Manns Mackie Studios is a concept-to-consumer feature- film production company that specializes in family and faith-based films.

About Collide Distribution: 

Collide Distribution, a division of Collide Media Group, specializes in downstreaming home entertainment distribution through UPHE Content Group. Collide Media Group was formed in 2016 by veteran Christian entertainment marketing executive Bob Elder with a mission dedicated to “elevating media that inspires a deeper relationship with Christ.”  The Collide team has worked on over 50 Faith-Based films, creating and executing marketing campaigns that have generated billions of impressions and resulted in hundreds of millions of ticket transactions. The Group is officed in historic downtown Franklin Tennessee.

About Universal Pictures Content Group:

Headquartered in London, Universal Pictures Content Group is a repertoire centre acquiring and producing multi-genre entertainment for distribution across theatrical, home entertainment, television and digital platforms on a worldwide basis.  Universal Pictures Content Group a unit of Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (UFEG). UFEG produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide in various media formats for theatrical, home entertainment, television and other distribution platforms, as well as consumer products, interactive gaming and live entertainment. The global division includes Universal Pictures, Focus Features, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, Universal Brand Development, Fandango and DreamWorks Animation Film and Television.  UFEG is part of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience.  NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

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For more information:
Lori Heiselman - Collide Media Group

714-553-5181

Lori@collidemg.com