Russian Navy – France agrees to sell Russia advanced warship

February 9th, 2010

Associated PressFrance agrees to sell Russia advanced warship

France has agreed to sell Russia the Mistral amphibious warship and is considering a Russian request for three more, French defense officials said Monday. It would be the first major arms deal between Russia and a NATO member.

Transformation – The Awakening of Robert Gates

February 7th, 2010

EsquireThe Awakening of Robert Gates

Thomas P.M. Barnett writes that after a career built on avoiding risk, the defense secretary is (finally) ready to get back in the game and gamble, all-in.

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – Japan refuelling ships end Afghan mission

February 7th, 2010

Bangkok PostJapan refuelling ships end Afghan mission

Japanese naval ships returned home on Saturday ending a refuelling mission for US-led military efforts in Afghanistan, while its peacekeeping troops are now set to depart for quake-hit Haiti.

US Marines – As Marines Move In, Taliban Fight a Shadowy War

February 6th, 2010

New York TimesAs Marines Move In, Taliban Fight a Shadowy War

The Marine infantry company, accompanied by a squad of Afghan soldiers, set out long before dawn. It walked silently through the dark fields with plans of arriving at a group of mud-walled compounds in Helmand Province at sunrise.

US Navy – Quadrennial review says Navy ‘will’ base carrier in Florida

February 6th, 2010

Virginian PilotQuadrennial review says Navy ‘will’ base carrier in Florida

Defense officials made clear Monday they’re backing the Navy’s desire to relocate a Norfolk-based aircraft carrier to Mayport, Fla. Whether the Navy is successful may come down to a nasty fight in Congress, say some Virginia legislators, who argue the military hasn’t provided any solid research to justify the relocation.

US Marines – Counterinsurgency, One Stuck Truck at a Time

February 5th, 2010

New York TimesCounterinsurgency, One Stuck Truck at a Time

CJ Chivers in Afghanistan with the Marines.

Russian Navy – Critics say proposed sale of French Mistral ship to Russia will harm region

February 5th, 2010

Washington PostCritics say proposed sale of French Mistral ship to Russia will harm region

When the French navy’s 23,700-ton Mistral-class amphibious assault ship dropped anchor in St. Petersburg’s frigid harbor Nov. 23, it was doing more than paying a friendly visit to the Russians. The boxy 600-foot vessel — an advanced helicopter carrier, command center and hospital built for power projection and landing operations — was also advertising its many high-tech virtues with an eye on selling a copy to the Russian navy for about $750 million.

Royal Navy – Carriers versus tanks: Royal Navy joins battle for resources

February 4th, 2010

The TimesCarriers versus tanks: Royal Navy joins battle for resources

The commitment to spend £20 billion on a replacement for Britain’s Trident nuclear submarines risks damaging the Royal Navy as it faces possible cutbacks in its manpower and fleet.

US Marines – As Marines Move In, Taliban Fight a Shadowy War

February 4th, 2010

New York TimesAs Marines Move In, Taliban Fight a Shadowy War

The Marine infantry company, accompanied by a squad of Afghan soldiers, set out long before dawn. It walked silently through the dark fields with plans of arriving at a group of mud-walled compounds in Helmand Province at sunrise.

Royal Australian Navy – Another Collins-class Submarine in Dry Dock

February 3rd, 2010

Defense Technology InternationalAnother Collins-class Submarine in Dry Dock

And the troubles in Australia’s submarine fleet continue: there is apparently now just one operational submarine after Navy chief Vice-Admiral Russ Crane confirmed in late January that a generator failure on board HMAS Farncomb meant the submarine had to be put into dry dock for urgent repairs.

US Marines – Marines Invest in Local Afghan Projects

February 3rd, 2010

New York TimesMarines Invest in Local Afghan Projects

Following the emphasis on a more assertive counterinsurgency approach mandated last year by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the commander of American forces in Afghanistan, here on some of the country’s most dangerous ground, Marine infantry units are using this winter to try a soft touch.

US Marines – Marine assault vehicles key to Afghan strategy

February 3rd, 2010

Los Angeles TimesMarine assault vehicles key to Afghan strategy

As U.S. and Afghan troops prepare for an offensive in Helmand province, the Assault Breacher Vehicle – a cross between a tank and a bulldozer – is intended to conquer the terrain and roadside bombs.

US Navy – U.S. Speeding Up Missile Defenses in Persian Gulf

February 3rd, 2010

New York TimesU.S. Speeding Up Missile Defenses in Persian Gulf

General Petraeus said that the acceleration of defensive anti-missile systems in the Persian Guolf — which began when President George W. Bush was in office — included “eight Patriot missile batteries, two in each of four countries.” Patriot missiles are capable of shooting down short-range offensive missiles. He also described a first line of defense: He said the United States was now keeping Aegis cruisers on patrol in the Persian Gulf at all times.

Miscellaneous – 2010 Almanac Highlights – Status of US Maritime Administration

February 2nd, 2010

Sea Power2010 Almanac Highlights – Status of US Maritime Administration

The status of the US Maritime Administration as of January 2010.

Chinese Navy – China joins multinational naval force to fight Somali piracy

February 1st, 2010

Christian Science MonitorChina joins multinational naval force to fight Somali piracy

With Somali piracy still posing a severe threat, China agreed Thursday to join the US, Europe, and others in a multilateral naval force. Since late 2008, China has dispatched four flotillas to the Gulf of Aden area, expanding its military activity abroad.

Afghanistan – The Soviet Victory That Never Was

January 31st, 2010

Foreign AffairsThe Soviet Victory That Never Was

Could the Soviet Union have won its war in Afghanistan? Today, the victory of the anti-Soviet mujahideen seems preordained as part of the West’s ultimate triumph in the Cold War. To suggest that an alternative outcome was possible — and that the United States has something to learn from the Soviet Union’s experience in Afghanistan — may be controversial. But to avoid being similarly frustrated by the infamous “graveyard of empires,” U.S. military planners would be wise to study how the Soviet Union nearly emerged triumphant from its decade-long war.

US Marines – Shave Every Day. Shower Every Two Months.

January 30th, 2010

New York TimesShave Every Day. Shower Every Two Months.

CJ Chivers with the Marines in Afghanistan.

US Navy – The Tenth Fleet

January 30th, 2010

Defense Technology InternationalThe Tenth Fleet

The U.S. Navy will stand up its cyber operations unit, the so-called Tenth Fleet, this week.

US Navy – Navy sued to halt training near endangered whales

January 30th, 2010

Virginian PilotNavy sued to halt training near endangered whales

Environmental groups sued the Navy on Thursday to halt plans for an offshore training range that they fear would threaten endangered right whales, which migrate to nearby waters off Georgia and Florida each winter.

US Marines – The Hidden Dangers of Helmand Province, Part II

January 29th, 2010

New York TimesThe Hidden Dangers of Helmand Province, Part II

More from CJ Chivers with the Marines in Afghanistan.


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