Faslane involved in largest military exercise in Europe

Faslane will help host the largest tactically focused military exercise in Europe from October 1-12 when Exercise Joint Warrior begins.

The tri-service, multi-national exercise, which is held twice a year, will see participation from 27 separate naval units, 40 aircraft and a variety of UK and allied land forces.

Taking part in the exercise will be ships from the UK, US, Belgium, Germany, Holland, France, Norway, Denmark and Estonia, many operating from the Clyde.

Royal Navy ships involved include Type 23 Frigates, HMS Kent and HMS St Albans, and mine hunters Her Majesty's Ships Penzance, Cattistock, Hurworth and Bangor.

Planned primarily by Royal Navy and RAF personnel from the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff, or JTEPS, the headquarters for the exercise will be at HM Naval Base Clyde..

Around 150 tri-service personnel, many of them Reservists, will descend on the Naval Base for Joint Warrior, setting up a Joint Warfare Operations Centre (JWOC) to coordinate and manage the massive exercise.

Land troops will conduct military training at ranges across Scotland, using Defence Training Estate range areas, commercial ranges, Highland Agency and private land areas. This will enable training for 16 Air Assault Brigade, 3 Commando Brigade and 3 UK Division, as well as troops from the US, Sweden and Holland.

Meanwhile, RAF Leuchars will see eight Maritime Patrol aircraft from Canada and France operate from the base, while a detachment of Swedish JAS-39 Gripen Jets, UK Hawks, Tornado GR4s and Typhoon will deploy from RAF Lossiemouth.

There will also be limited night and weekend flying from these bases during the exercise.

Exercise Joint Warrior allows the Armed Forces to practice the wide variety of skills needed by today's military. Skills such as counter piracy, narcotics and insurgency operations, mine countermeasures, electronic warfare training and tactical intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance are all included.

The scenario for the exercise involves multiple sovereign nations, disputed territory, smuggling, piracy and terrorist activity. As it plays out the scenario will develop from a period of military and political tension to simulated war fighting and state on state hostilities - all providing realistic training for the participants.

GPS denial operations will also be conducted in a limited area in North West Scotland during Joint Warrior. The relevant authorities, including aviation and maritime communities have been consulted and a risk assessment done to minimise the impact and put robust procedures in place for any unforeseen eventuality.

Some of the exercise areas overlap environmentally sensitive conservation zones. The MOD recognises the impact of military activity and takes its environmental responsibility seriously.

During the planning of the exercise, environment impact assessments have been produced when required, such as for the use of active sonar and live weapons. The environment is always considered when planning exercises and remains a primary consideration throughout planning and execution.

Syria's Missile Forces Conclude Military Exercises with Live Ammunition

The Syrian missile forces concluded on Wednesday the military exercises carried out by the Syrian armed forces with a tactical exercise using live ammunition. the missile forces proved high performance based on self-confidence and permanent readiness and ability to destroy any enemy target.

Launching various types of missiles and hitting their targets accurately highlight the high level of training of the missile troops and their ability to invest the Destructive power of their weapons perfectly.

Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army and the Armed Forces, Gen. Dawood Rajiha, accompanied by General Talal Tlas and a number of senior officers attended the exercises.

Two missiles miss targets in Taiwan drill

Two of 26 missiles missed their targets when Taiwan's military carried out a live-fire exercise Monday, but officers in charge said they were happy with the result.

More than 2,300 soldiers were mobilised in the drill held in Chiupeng, a tightly-guarded missile base facing the Pacific Ocean in Pingtung county in the island's south.

The two missiles that missed their targets were a Hsiungfeng II (Brave Wind II) -- an improved version of the Hsiungfeng ship-to-ship missile -- and a Tien Chien I (Sky Sword I) surface-to-air missile, both of which were locally developed and manufactured.

A drone, supposed to serve as a missile target during the exercise, went out of control minutes after it was launched and fell to earth near to a house. No one was wounded in the incident, the military said.

Twenty-four other missiles, launched from aircraft, vessels and ground batteries, destroyed their targets in the drill, which was presided over by General Lin Chen-yi, chief of staff of the island's armed forces.

"General Lin is satisfied with the outcome of the manoeuvre," a military officer told reporters.

Previous drills have been less successful. In an embarrassing flop in 2011 six out of 19 missiles missed their targets or failed to explode during a live-fire missile test attended by the press.

Monday's manoeuvre is likely to have been watched carefully by China's People's Liberation Army, which currently has more than 1,600 missiles aimed at the island, according to estimates by Taiwanese experts.

Tensions between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland have eased markedly since Ma Ying-jeou of the China-friendly Kuomintang party was elected the island's president in 2008 on a platform of beefing up trade and tourism links.

Nevertheless, China still refuses to renounce the use of force against Taiwan should it declare formal independence, even though the island has governed itself since the end of a civil war in 1949.

The lingering threats have prompted Taiwanese authorities to stockpile thousands of missiles, which it has either purchased from the United States or manufactured itself.

UK Flying Tigers Hunt Submarines Off Norway

Merlin helicopters and crews from British 814 Naval Air Squadron (814 NAS) have returned from the Norwegian Sea, where they took part in a NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise.

Known as the 'Flying Tigers', 814 NAS sent two of their Merlin helicopters and 55 personnel to take part in Exercise Dynamic Mongoose, which saw them searching for hunter-killer submarines.

During the exercise, the men and women of 814 NAS worked alongside their NATO partners France, Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Poland and Norway.

Operating from Sola air base at Stavanger in Norway, the Flying Tigers searched for the submarines actively, with sonar, and passively, by listening to the submarines' movements.

The 814 NAS personnel operated as part of the 'friendly forces', working alongside various NATO maritime patrol aircraft, four surface ships, including HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen, and multiple rotary-winged assets, including Polish Mi-14 'Haze' helicopters, to counter the threat posed by three submarines.

The mission was to assist in the protection of the 'High Value Vessel' (FGS Spessart) from an unseen enemy, who posed a very real threat lurking below the surface and ready to pounce at a moment's notice. The quiet and elusive submarines are difficult opponents, and can prove a real challenge to detect, even with the Merlins' advanced active sonar, passive sonics and radar.

The submarine commanders continually tested the flying crews' war-fighting skills, but the Flying Tigers leapt to the challenge, successfully hunting and preying on the threat.

The exercise demonstrated what a highly-capable aircraft and formidable opponent the Merlin HM Mk1 can be when operated by well-trained Fleet Air Arm aviators.

Commander Chris Stock, Commanding Officer of 814 NAS, said: "Dynamic Mongoose was a fantastic opportunity to work alongside some of our NATO allies, and to put into practice our anti-submarine warfare tactics. It provided really valuable training, and the feedback from the submariners themselves illustrated how effective a well-operated Merlin can be.

"I feel confident in the knowledge that the Flying Tigers of 814 NAS will be ready to fight and protect our nation's interests against threats, whether from above or, as here, below the water."

Dynamic Mongoose was a major part of the build-up for Operation COUGAR, 814 NAS's primary deployment later in the year.

The exercise also provided an excellent opportunity for the squadron to hone their anti-submarine warfare capabilities after a lengthy period involved in maritime security operations. 814 NAS has been supporting the international effort against illegal activities on the high seas including anti-piracy, people-trafficking, smuggling, drug-running and terrorism.

Taiwan military holds major live-fire missile exercise

Taiwan's military forces held a major live-fire missile exercise in the southern county of Pingtung Monday, as part of efforts to strengthen the country's defense capabilities.

During the two-hour drill, members of the Air Force, Army and Navy launched various missiles to test the military's ability to repel opposing Chinese forces.

In the air, F-16 A/B jet fighters, Mirage 2000s, IDFs and AH-1W helicopters deployed, while at sea a Chengkung-class frigate, Kangding-class frigate, a Chingchiang vessel took part in the drill.

The precision weapons used included the Hsiung-Feng II anti-ship missile, Maverick air-to-surface missile, Tien-Chien II air-to-air missile, Hawk surface-to-air missile, MICA air-to-air missile and Sidewinder air-to-air missile.

Most of the participating missiles were fired successfully.

The exercise at the Jioupeng military base in Pingtung was inspected by the defense ministry's Chief of General Staff Admiral Lin Chen-yi.

Syria tests missiles against coastal attack

Syria's navy fired live missiles from ships and helicopters over the weekend, state media said on Sunday, in an exercise aiming at showcasing its ability to "defend Syria's shores against any possible aggression".

Syrian television aired video of a variety of missiles being fired from launchers on land and from ships and showed the Syrian Defence Minister Dawud Abdallah Rahijia in attendance.

"Naval Forces conducted an operational live fire exercise on Saturday, using missiles launched from the sea and coast, helicopters and missile boats, simulating a scenario of repelling a sudden attack from the sea," Syrian news agency SANA said, adding manoeuvres would continue for several days.

Opposition figures have been calling for a no-fly zone and NATO strikes against Syrian forces, similar to those carried out in Libya last year which enabled rebel ground forces to end the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.

But while President Bashar al-Assad has faced sanctions and international condemnation over his crackdown on dissent which has left thousands dead, major Western and Arab powers have shied away from the idea of direct military action.

Turkey has reinforced its border and scrambled fighter aircraft several times since Syria shot down a Turkish reconnaissance jet on June 22 over what Damascus said were Syrian territorial waters in the Mediterranean. Ankara said the incident occurred in international air space.

More than 30 people were killed on Sunday during a government bombardment and clashes between Syrian forces and Free Syrian Army rebels fighting to oust Assad, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Activists reported heavy shelling in residential areas of Deir al-Zor city and in Deraa province, the birthplace of the revolt near the Jordanian border.

Rami Abdelrahman, head of the Observatory, said that residents of al-Sharifa in the wider Deir al-Zor province said rebels had taken control of a tank looted in combat for the first time and were using it to attack army positions.

In recent weeks, rebels have become more and more brazen in their attacks, holding small areas of territory across the country and clashing with troops only a few miles from the presidential palace in Damascus.

The Mad Mullahas Republic of Iran tests drones during military drills

Iran announced it struck a mock military base using an unmanned aerial drone during an exercise in the desert in the country's southeast.

Iran is in the midst of military maneuvers it has dubbed Great Prophet 7. The exercise is meant to test Iran's missile capabilities.

The country's military said an unmanned aerial vehicle bombarded "mock bases of trans-regional forces" during operations in the southeast Lut Desert, Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.

The broadcaster added a series of long- and medium-range missile were launched Tuesday morning.

Brig. Gen. Hossein Salami, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps., said the drills were meant as a response to regional threats.

The "main aim of this drill was to demonstrate the Iranian nation's political resolve to defend (its) vital values and national interests," he was quoted as saying.

The New York Times this week reported the U.S. government has deployed military assets to the Persian Gulf to increase the ability to protect the shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for oil transits from the region.

Tehran and some Western allies are at a standstill over nuclear concerns. Washington had said all options are on the table to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

French Navy Rafale Pilot Ejects At Sea during joint training with US Navy

On July 2nd 2012 off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean, during air combat training with an F18 fighter from aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, the pilot of a Rafale fighter belonging to "Flotille 12F" operating from French nuclear powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle had to eject.

He was recovered by a U.S. Navy helicopter and was transferred aboard the French aircraft carrier where he received first care by the medical team.

An investigation was opened to determine the circumstances and causes of this accident.

Aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and her escort left Toulon on May 30, for a training deployment in the Mediterranean and Atlantic, which ends July 5, 2012.

                         

On July 2nd 2012 off the Spanish coast in the Mediterranean,during air combat training with an F18 fighter from aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower, the pilot of a Rafale pilot belonging to "Flotille 12F" operating from French nuclear powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle had to ejected.

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USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- While conducting coalition training in the Mediterranean Sea July 2, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) received a call of a downed French aircraft operating from the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R 91).

Upon notification, a Carrier Airwing 7 airborne helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 5, embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, was dispatched to provide rescue and assistance.

Once HS-5 arrived at the scene, they retrieved and transported the pilot to the Charles de Gaulle for medical treatment.

Iran Starts Missile Drills

The three-day drill will test Iran's newest surface-to-surface missile systems in the central Iranian province of Semnan.

An assortment of long, medium and short-range missiles will target “aggressor airbases” in the Semnan desert, Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, commander of Iran's IRGC Aerospace Division, said.

Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi has announced progress in the development and manufacture of an indigenous version of the advanced Russian S-300 air defense missile system.

Iranian military officials said the missile system, called Bavar (Belief) 373, is even more powerful and more advanced than the Russian S-300.

The $800-million contract to supply Iran with the missile system was signed in late 2007. Russia was to deliver five S-300PMU-1 battalions to Tehran. However, on September 22, 2010, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed a decree terminating the contract in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1929, which bans supply to Iran of conventional weapons including missiles and missile systems, tanks, attack helicopters, warplanes and ships.

Russia’s Yaroslav Mudry Warship to Join Baltic Sea Drills

Russia's Yaroslav Mudry frigate will join the FRUKUS international naval drills that will kick off in the Baltic Sea on Sunday, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesman said.

The annual naval drills, which traditionally involve France, Russia, Britain and the United States, practice interoperability for future joint operations.

Britain’s York destroyer, the United States’ USS Normandy (CG-60) guided-missile cruiser and France’s destroyer De Grasse will take part in the FRUKUS 2012 exercises.

The drills will consist of several stages including joint maneuvering, repelling airstrikes and attacks of fast-speed boats, artillery practice and ship rescue exercises.

Previously called RUKUS, the exercises were launched in 1988 to promote dialogue between the Soviet Union, Britain, and the United States. The name was changed to FRUKUS in 2003, when France formally joined the group.

The Yaroslav Mudry is a Neustrashimy-class multi-purpose sea- and ocean-going ship intended to engage surface and sub-surface targets. It is equipped with powerful air defenses and is capable of rendering artillery support to ground troops.

‘Cloud of war’ on the horizon: North Korea condemns US drills AGAIN !

Pyonyang has slammed the largest US-led military drills to be conducted close to North Korea’s borders as rattling the saber. Many see the move as a US pretext to step-up their presence in the region with a view to containing China’s influence.

The drills threaten to bring “a new cloud of war to the region” said North Korea’s Defense Ministry on Thursday.

"The North's people and military are intensely watching the trilateral military drill," said ruling party newspaper Rodong Sinmun. It also urged the US to stop “reckless provocation” in the region.

South Korea, Japan and the US are participating in the trilateral military drills that will span two days, involving destroyers, helicopters and nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier George Washington.  Seoul has issued a statement saying that the drills would focus on humanitarian operations such as search and rescue missions.

Seoul said that Friday’s exercises would include 2,000 troops as well F-15K and KF-16 jet fighters and light-attack planes in a showcase of the nation’s "watertight defense posture and war-fighting capabilities."

The military operations come at a time of rising tensions in the region following North Korea’s failed attempt at a rocket launch in April which was widely perceived as an attempt to test a ballistic missile.

Professor Joseph Cheng a political analyst at Hong Kong University told RT that the war-games would have a knock-on effect on the countries involved, “escalating the tensions in the region.”

Military exercises are common and a source of on-going friction in the region and are punctuated by strong political rhetoric. But the countries involved rarely overstep the mark, seeking to “maintain their communication lines open as they certainly do not want to see any sharp deterioration in their relationships.”

However, he said North Korea was an exception to this and they could seek “to use the exercises as an excuse to terminate diplomatic dialogue and raise tensions in the area.”

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US jostling with China 

Professor Cheng stressed that the US was taking advantage of the breakdown in relations between North Korea and Japan and South Korea in order to step-up its influence in the region.

“The US has been exploiting fully these hedging strategies to strengthen its return to Asia strategy,” he said.

He underlined that China understand the sharpening of territorial disputes in the region and will seek to strengthen ties with North Korea’s neighbors with a view to curtailing US influence.

Dr. Tim Beal, author and Asia specialist, speaking to RT dismissed the exercises as “entirely contrived” and really all to do with the elections in the US and South Korea.

“They’re not going to bite, same with the Chinese. We’re going to get a lot of strong words from Beijing and Pyongyang, but I doubt very much if we’ll get any action,” he said.

He said the worst case scenario of the worsening diplomatic relations in the region could be all out war between the US and China with Japan and South Korea squeezed in the middle.

“As China goes up in the world and the US comes down this is going to be a continuing source of concern and danger for the whole world,” Dr. Beal told RT.

The Obama administration announced its plans to significantly bolster its presence in the Asia Pacific at the beginning of the month. It plans to shift 60 percent of its naval might into the region by 2020 which China regards as an affront to its sovereignty.