Dec 2, 2012 ~ Jim's Military News

Sunday, December 2, 2012

USS Enterprise: Past, Present And Future

12/02/2012 05:06:00 PM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

By KELLYALLEN – December 1, 2012 - NAVYLIVE.DODLIVE.MIL

Friends and family members of Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) gather on the flight deck for the ship’s final air power demonstration before its upcoming inactivation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman/Released)

By Rear Adm. Thomas J. Moore, Program Executive Officer, Aircraft Carriers

Today, December 1st, USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) will inactivate and leave the Navy’s active carrier force forever. The inactivation of CVN 65 is not just a milestone for the Navy, it marks both the end of an era of a legendary ship and the start of a new era for Naval Aviation with the introduction of the GERALD R. FORD Class. USS ENTERPRISE, although the oldest ship in the fleet, performed the same Naval Aviation Strike Operations and Air Wing support as the newest aircraft carriers.

USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) will continue to serve on as more than $100 million of her equipment is reused and installed aboard NIMITZ and FORD class aircraft carriers. Seven ships have borne the name ENTERPRISE, and CVN 65 or “Big E” is a legend in itself as the most decorated warship in U.S. history. Pivotal in every U.S. conflict since its commissioning, the first nuclear aircraft carrier Enterprise changed the future of naval aviation. I had the privilege of serving aboard ENTERPRISE, being Program Manager at PEO Carriers for the long transition of the last NIMITZ class carrier USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77), and am now the PEO responsible for the new GERALD R. FORD Class. I am proud to see the Enterprise tradition of bringing unprecedented innovation and striking power to the fleet being continued in our newest class.

Read more, the full article here: http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2012/12/01/uss-enterprise-past-present-and-future/

Taliban storm NATO base in Afghanistan, 14 dead

12/02/2012 04:42:00 PM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

At least 14 people, including nine Taliban men, were killed Sunday when militants wearing suicide vests stormed a major NATO base in Afghanistan, media reports said.

Two civilians died in the attack in Jalalabad, capital of the eastern province of Nangarhar, around 120 km east of Kabul, Xinhua reported citing Tolo News.

There were conflicting reports about the number of casualties.

CNN said three Afghan soldiers were killed when the militants attacked three different points at Forward Operating Base Fenty, near the Jalalabad airfield, according to the NATO-led International Assistance Security Force (ISAF).

Three suicide bombers and six gunmen were killed in the blasts and the firefight that ensued, provincial police spokesman Havrat Hussain Mashriqwal told CNN.

The attack began around 6 a.m. when two suicide bombers rammed their explosives-laden vehicles into separate entrances of the NATO base, sparking a gunfight between the militants and security forces.

At least 14 Afghan soldiers and four civilians were wounded, police told CNN.

NATO helicopters were seen hovering over the area and firing on the attackers, a witness told Xinhua.

The blasts created a plume of grey smoke above the scene.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack.

Mujahid said there were two suicide car bombs and a suicide bomber with an explosive belt used in the attack, which he claimed killed at least 20 people.

Afghan officials told BBC eight suicide attackers were involved in the assault, and all were killed.

A NATO spokesman said the assault was a failure because the Taliban did not penetrate the base.

The force of the explosions is reported to have blown out windows a kilometre away, BBC said.

Local residents said helicopters had fired on the insurgents, and the fighting lasted about 20 minutes.

Sunday's attack was the latest in a series to target the base.

In February, nine people were killed and 12 wounded in a suicide bombing at the front gate of the base. Two moths later, four suicide bombers wearing burqas tried to launch an attack there, officials said.

NATO, which currently has around 130,000 troops in Afghanistan, is gradually handing security over to Afghan forces ahead of the departure of most combat troops in 2014.

from Afghanistan News.Net
Sunday 2nd December, 2012
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BBC video is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20571640
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AL JAZEERA video:

Dec. 02., 2012. - ISAF Joint Command Morning Operational Update

12/02/2012 04:33:00 PM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

KABUL, Afghanistan – An Afghan and coalition security force killed the Taliban leader, Juma Gul Akhund, during an operation in Panjwa’i district, Kandahar province, Dec. 1.

Akhund oversaw improvised explosive device operations in the Zharay, Panjwa’I and Maiwand districts of Kandahar province. He also organized the movement of weapons and IEDs throughout the province.

In other International Security Assistance Force news throughout Afghanistan:

North
An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a local Taliban leader in Pul-e Khumri district, Baghlan province, Dec. 2. The leader built and distributed improvised explosive devices and was responsible for transporting IED components to insurgents throughout the district.

South
An Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader in Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand province, Dec. 2. The leader oversaw the emplacement of improvised explosive devices, conducted direct fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces, and acquired and distributed IED-materials to insurgents. The security force also detained one suspected insurgent.

East

In Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province, an Afghan and coalition security force on Dec. 1 arrested a Haqqani leader who was responsible for leading direct fire attacks against Afghan and coalition forces. He also facilitated the transfer of weapons and ammunition to insurgents operating throughout Pul-e ‘Alam district. During the operation, the combined security force also detained two suspected insurgents.

An Afghan and coalition security force discovered a drug cache during an operation in Sayyid Karam district, Paktiya province, Nov. 29. The cache contained 35,274 pounds of hashish. The security force destroyed the drugs on site and detained two suspected drug traffickers.

During an operation in Khost district, Khost province, Dec. 2, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested a Taliban leader. The leader planned and conducted indirect fire attacks on Forward Operating Base Shan and directed improvised explosive device attacks against Afghan and coalition forces throughout Pul-e ‘Alam district, Logar province.

In Gelan district, Ghazni province, Dec. 2, an Afghan and coalition force conducted an operation in search of a Taliban leader who plans and coordinates attacks against Afghan and coalition forces in the district, and provides direct assistance to senior Taliban leaders in the province. During the operation, the combined security force detained multiple suspected insurgents.

Dec. 02., 2012. - RC-East operational update

12/02/2012 04:31:00 PM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

BAGRAM, Afghanistan - Afghan and coalition forces located two weapons caches and cleared three improvised explosive devices during operations in eastern Afghanistan throughout the past 24 hours, Dec. 1.

Ghazni Province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Qarah Bagh District.

Afghan National Security Forces and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Waghaz District. The cache contained small arms ammunition.

Khowst Province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Gurbuz District.

Afghan Uniformed Police and coalition forces discovered a weapons cache in Terayzai District. The cache contained small arms, and small arms ammunition, four blasting caps and two grenades.

Paktya Province
Afghan National Army soldiers and coalition forces found and safely cleared one IED in Zurmat District.

Operations in RC-East are ongoing.

Massive terrorism bid foiled in Quetta

12/02/2012 04:28:00 PM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

The Frontier Corps (FC) impounded a bus laden with massive explosive material on the outskirts of Quetta and arrested five accused.

On a tip off FC seized a bus at Quetta-Karachi Highway near Akhtar Abad area when it was checked on a check post.

The FC claimed that six to seven thousand kg explosive material packed in plastic bags was recovered from the vehicle, adding that five people on-board the bus were also arrested.

According to FC sources, the explosive laden bus was heading towards Naushki and explosive material was concealed with other items.

The sources said that area has been cordoned off for the search operation.

from ARYNEWS.TV
Updated : Sunday December 2 , 2012 1:14:20 PM

Somali Pirates Release S. Korean Sailors

12/02/2012 02:54:00 PM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

English: Map showing the extent of Somali pirate attacks on shipping vessels between 2005 and 2010. Français : Carte montrant l'étendue des attaques de pirates somaliens sur des navires de transport entre 2005 et 2010. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

South Korean officials say Somali pirates have released four commercial seamen they had held for 19 months, after the payment of a ransom.

A South Korean foreign ministry official said Saturday the ministry had assisted in ransom talks between the ship's owner and the pirates, but declined to say how much had been paid for their release. The men are now on board a South Korean navy ship.

The sailors were among the crew of the tanker MT Gemini, who were captured on April 30, 2011, while traveling from Kenya to Malaysia.

Seven months later, the pirates freed the vessel, but broke an agreement to release all of the crew, keeping the four Koreans captive, while releasing the 21 non-Korean sailors.

The pirates released most of the crew after the tanker's Singaporean owners paid a ransom reportedly totaling $6 million.

The waters off Somalia are notorious for pirate attacks, but the presence of an international navy task force has seen such incidents fall sharply this year.

from VOA News
December 01, 2012

4 killed in Uruzgan suicide attack

12/02/2012 02:14:00 PM SgtJim No Comments yet, your thoughts are welcome

Tirinkot (PAN): Four people, including three children, were killed in a suicide attack in Dihrawud district in central Uruzgan province on Saturday, an official said.

Provincial police spokesman Farid Ayil told Pajhwok Afghan News that blast took place around 3:30pm and four people were killed, while four civilians were wounded.

The suicide bomber in car exploded the explosive material in a crowded a market in Dihrawud district when he was stopped by police.

Governor Amenullah Khaliqi confirmed that four people were killed in the afternoon blast.

from Pajhwok
By Khan Wali Salarzai Dec 1, 2012 - 18:48