NewzIntel.com

Category: Military Intelligence

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Administrator Surveys Virginia Counties and Meets with Survivors and Local Community Officials Recovering from Helene

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Administrator Surveys Virginia Counties and Meets with Survivors and Local Community Officials Recovering from Helene

    FEMA Administrator Surveys Virginia Counties and Meets with Survivors and Local Community Officials Recovering from Helene

    WASHINGTON — As FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell continues to lead the federal response to Helene and Milton in six states, today she is in Virginia to meet survivors and local officials as they continue their recovery from Helene.

    In Virginia, the administrator visited affected communities with Gov. Glenn Youngkin. Earlier in the week she and North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper in Buncombe County to speak with disaster survivors and meet staff at a local high school as part of the recovery.

    Critical services continue being restored. The Commonwealth of Virginia is focused on debris removal, particularly in lakes that provide the commonwealth a source of drinking water. Removing debris will also reduce threats to public health and safety. In Florida—hit by both storms—power outages have been reduced to about 17,000, down from a peak of 3.2 million. And in North Carolina, approximately 13,000 customers remain without power, down from a peak of about 1 million customers without power. 

    In total, about 433,000 households have been approved for nearly $619 million in FEMA assistance for their Helene recovery while 61,000 households have received $54 million for Milton. Survivors are using these funds to replace essential items, pay for somewhere to stay and make home repairs.

    Hurricane Milton survivors in 34 Florida counties and one Tribal Nation can register for federal disaster assistance. On Oct. 11, President Jospeh R. Biden, Jr., approved a major disaster declaration for Florida following the hurricane. President Biden previously approved federal disaster assistance in six states affected by Helene. This opens up federal help for survivors in designated areas in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

    In addition, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the Operation Blue Tarp which is a free service to homeowners. Residents impacted by Hurricane Milton can sign-up at www.blueroof.gov, or by calling 888-ROOF-BLU (888-766-3258). The initial sign-up period is set for 21 days and ends Nov. 5. The Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Milton currently identified for the program include: Brevard, Citrus, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Lucie, Sumter and Volusia.

    FEMA encourages Helene and Milton survivors to apply online as this remains the best way to apply for disaster assistance. Here are the ways to apply for federal assistance: 

    ·         Apply online at disasterassistance.gov

    ·         Call 800-621-3362

    ·         Use the FEMA App

    ·         Visit a Disaster Recovery Center to talk with FEMA and state agency officials and apply for assistance

    In total, over 8,200 federal personnel—including 4,300 FEMA staff—are in communities in these states supporting the ongoing response and recovery efforts. 

    These photos highlight response and recovery efforts across states impacted by Helene and Milton.

    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56489″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/51c770e055bfac2bdf77a115b7d1e1e9.jpg?itok=d6OkGMpD” alt=”Caption: Lee County, Va. – A group comprised of staff from the Lee County 911, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and FEMA was conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments to survey properties affected by Tropical Storm Helene in September.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Lee County, Va. – A group comprised of staff from the Lee County 911, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and FEMA was conducting Preliminary Damage Assessments to survey properties affected by Tropical Storm Helene in September.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56511″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/0ac80a360274e00254b29ac8e241b18a.jpg?itok=d3rO453K” alt=”Caption: Burnsville, N.C. – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper visit the Pensacola Volunteer Fire Department to talk with staff and disaster survivors.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Burnsville, N.C. – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper visit the Pensacola Volunteer Fire Department to talk with staff and disaster survivors.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56462″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/7037f02841813c689a6e8dc2d71c40b7.jpg?itok=p12cSWX5″ alt=”Caption: Buncombe County, NC – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper tour recovery operations at a local high school, fire station and community care station to talk with staff and disaster survivors.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Buncombe County, NC – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper tour recovery operations at a local high school, fire station and community care station to talk with staff and disaster survivors.
    BUNCOMBE COUNTY, North Carolina – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visits with staff and disaster survivors about recovery operations at a local high school, fire station and community care station. (Source: FEMA)
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56452″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/a0cbc8cb1e9938b50f025fa483a0d283.jpg?itok=pClsD1s-” alt=”Caption: Buncombe County, NC – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper tour recovery operations at a local high school, fire station and community care station to talk with staff and disaster survivors.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Buncombe County, NC – FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper tour recovery operations at a local high school, fire station and community care station to talk with staff and disaster survivors.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56481″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/80ff6cd868da9e52fceb6d20106f1667.jpg?itok=9Hhe7DBi” alt=”Caption: Swannanoa, NC – FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance staff help survivors at a Community Care Station. FEMA, Buncombe County, City of Asheville and the private sector have worked together to offer showers, laundry, bathrooms, access to cell towers, hot food, water, Wi-Fi, and medicine.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Swannanoa, NC – FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance staff help survivors at a Community Care Station. FEMA, Buncombe County, City of Asheville and the private sector have worked together to offer showers, laundry, bathrooms, access to cell towers, hot food, water, Wi-Fi, and medicine.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56531″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/50d8ffc037538c49d382007aa1769886.jpg?itok=xW7qucuF” alt=”Caption: Sarasota, Fla. (Oct. 17, 2024) – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assist a family of survivors in their first Blue Roof Project in Sarasota, Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Sarasota, Fla. (Oct. 17, 2024) – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assist a family of survivors in their first Blue Roof Project in Sarasota, Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56426″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/6ed91d66e28321cf80a1887989c06c4a.jpg?itok=qM79h6sL” alt=”Caption: Palm Beach County, Fla. (Oct. 15, 2024) – DSA crews canvas an area of The Acreage in Palm Beach County Florida.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Palm Beach County, Fla. (Oct. 15, 2024) – DSA crews canvas an area of The Acreage in Palm Beach County Florida.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56473″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/cf9d4bec75102ebbb97b6fc199bfe0d0.jpg?itok=9VB86i5n” alt=”Caption: Columbia, S.C. (Oct. 14, 2024) – FEMA’s Director of Disability Integration and Coordination, Sherman Gillums, Jr., visits the Association for Better Living and Education to show support for their ongoing efforts in supporting the disabled community. Director Gillums met with Dori Tempio, Sr., Director of Community Education, and Mandy Halloran, Director of Public Health.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Columbia, S.C. (Oct. 14, 2024) – FEMA’s Director of Disability Integration and Coordination, Sherman Gillums, Jr., visits the Association for Better Living and Education to show support for their ongoing efforts in supporting the disabled community. Director Gillums met with Dori Tempio, Sr., Director of Community Education, and Mandy Halloran, Director of Public Health.
    View Original‘ data-align=”center” data-asset-link=”1″ data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-asset-id=”56471″ src=”https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/9050b3d4f1ac9a6e2bd7cdfbf7ae3a71.jpg?itok=o0HpV_iy” alt=”Caption: Sandersville, Ga. (Oct. 14, 2024) – FEMA opens a Disaster Recovery Center in Sandersville, Georgia to register members of the community and surrounding counties effected by Hurricane Helene for disaster assistance.” class=”image-style-large”>
    Sandersville, Ga. (Oct. 14, 2024) – FEMA opens a Disaster Recovery Center in Sandersville, Georgia to register members of the community and surrounding counties effected by Hurricane Helene for disaster assistance.

    FEMA’s Disaster Multimedia Toolkit page provides graphics, social media copy and sample text in multiple languages. In addition, FEMA has set up a rumor control web page to reduce confusion about its role in the Helene response. 

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rubio, Moolenaar, Colleagues Question Treasury on Failure to Block Gotion Industrial Site

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio

    Rubio, Moolenaar, Colleagues  Question Treasury on Failure to Block Gotion Industrial Site
    Oct 17, 2024 | Press Releases

    Gotion Incorporated, a company with deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party, has developed a large industrial site near a U.S. military installation in Mecosta County, Michigan. The failure of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to investigate and block this development poses a serious threat to U.S. national security.
    U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI), and colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen questioning CFIUS’s decision-making and urging an update of the committee’s rules.
    “We write to express our deep concern regarding the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s apparent failure to block Gotion Incorporated (Gotion)—an entity with deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)—from developing a large industrial site near a major U.S. military installation.
    “Given CFIUS’ failure to launch a review of Gotion’s site development when the project was first publicly announced two years ago, it is now imperative that CFIUS update its proposed rulemaking to clarify the Committee’s ability to conduct retroactive reviews of covered greenfield investments that it previously failed to address.”
    Joining Rubio and Moolenaar were Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Braun (R-IN) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), as well as Representatives Lisa McClain (R-MI), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Jack Bergman (R-MI), John James (R-MI), and Tim Walberg (R-MI).
    Flashback… In September 2023, Rubio and Moolenaar sent a letter to Secretary Yellen urging CFIUS to review Gotion’s ownership.
    The full text of the letter is below. 
    Dear Secretary Yellen:
    We write to express our deep concern regarding the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s apparent failure to block Gotion Incorporated (Gotion)—an entity with deep ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)—from developing a large industrial site near a major U.S. military installation. The scope of United States warfighting capabilities is extremely sensitive knowledge. We must only share this information selectively, exclusively, and knowingly with close allies and partners. Federal agencies have a duty to prevent America’s adversaries from obtaining information concerning our national defense personnel and assets. As we are sure you will agree, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) plays a vital role in blocking foreign efforts to collect intelligence on our military via domestic investment.
    Unfortunately, CFIUS seems to have neglected a substantial foreign project constituting a major national security threat stemming from a major facility being constructed by Gotion. Gotion is the U.S. subsidiary of Gotion High-Tech, an electric vehicle (EV) battery company which is based in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and has documented ties to the CCP. The House Select Committee on the CCP has routinely documented Gotion High-Tech’s notorious, widespread human rights abuses and use of forced labor in mainland China, in addition to its connection with Chinese paramilitary groups. Nonetheless, Gotion is currently constructing a $2.4 billion EV battery plant in Mecosta County, Michigan.
    In June 2023, Gotion announced that its plans for plant construction were outside of CFIUS’ jurisdiction, and could therefore continue the project. But as you know, as of February 13, 2020, CFIUS’ jurisdiction applies to greenfield investments when a foreign entity purchases real estate near certain sensitive military bases. Federal regulations define the extended range of a military installation as land within a 100-mile radius of the military installation (31 C.F.R. § 802.211). Covered installations include certain Army combat training centers within the continental United States (31 C.F.R. § 802.227(h)).
    According to CFIUS’ own Part 802 geographic reference tool, Gotion’s site in Michigan is located just under 60 miles south of the Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center—well within the regulation’s definition of extended range. Camp Grayling is the largest National Guard training facility in the United States, and is host to both the Northern Strike joint exercises and the National Guard Exportable Combat Training Center Exercises. Yet, despite Camp Grayling’s significance, and the overwhelming evidence that this facility meets CFIUS’ conditions for a sensitive military installation, CFIUS did not include the camp under its definition of covered real estate until its July 2024 proposed rule, “Definition of Military Installation and the List of Military Installations in Regulations Pertaining to Certain Transactions by Foreign Persons Involving Real Estate in the United States.”
    Given CFIUS’ failure to launch a review of Gotion’s site development when the project was first publicly announced two years ago, it is now imperative that CFIUS update its proposed rulemaking to clarify the Committee’s ability to conduct retroactive reviews of covered greenfield investments that it previously failed to address. This step is well within CFIUS’ authority under 50 U.S.C. 4565 §(b)(1)(D)(i). This common-sense measure would not only allow CFIUS to put a stop to Gotion’s continued nefarious activity, but also the activities of many other adversarial entities that have slipped under CFIUS’ radar and acquired land near sensitive military sites. CFIUS’ failure to retroactively review these transactions would constitute a major security blunder and permit the CCP to engage in intelligence gathering that compromises our military capabilities and readiness.
    Given the severity of what seems to be a grave lapse in CFIUS’ judgement, we request answers to the following questions:
    Why did CFIUS fail to designate Camp Grayling as an army combat training center under covered real estate until its July 2024 proposed rule?
    If Camp Grayling’s exclusion from covered real estate was a failure in oversight, what steps is CFIUS taking to rectify the situation?
    What action is CFIUS taking to stop Gotion from continuing its plant construction given its proximity to a major military installation?
    Will CFIUS commit to clarify its authority to conduct retroactive reviews of covered greenfield investments that have slipped under CFIUS’ radar?
    Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to your prompt response.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Summer maintenance on State Highway 29 to deliver smoother journeys

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    State Highway 29 is a key focus as part of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi summer maintenance programme.

    Between October 2024 and May 2025 there are 9 significant sites on the Bay of Plenty side of the Kaimai Range where we will be rebuilding and resurfacing the road.

    Once complete, drivers will have smoother and safer journeys along this section of the SH29 corridor.

    The work is part of the $235 million 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme maintenance investment in state highways across the Bay of Plenty.

    To minimise impacts to traffic, most of the works will be carried out in the evening, between 7pm and 6am, on Sunday to Thursday nights (excluding public holidays) with stop/go in place.

    Starting this weekend, contractors will begin with a road rebuild near Hanga Road on Sunday 20 October*, for an expected period of 3 weeks, followed by resurfacing near Old Kaimai Road on Sunday 17 November until Thursday 28 November.

    A temporary speed limit of 30km/h will be in place and some work sites will have stop/go traffic lights. People should expect delays when travelling through the area.

    Meanwhile, further west on SH29, resurfacing work will get underway between Gargan Road and Redwood Lane on Sunday 3 November.

    This work will be completed over 5 nights between 7pm and 5am with stop/go and a temporary reduced speed limit of 30km/h at night and 50km/h during the day.

    The next round of Kaimai Range closures is also scheduled to take place, starting on Sunday 17 November, from 8pm to 3.30am for 5 nights. The closures are needed to undertake asphalt work and other routine maintenance activities such as clearing drains, sign maintenance and road marking.

    The closure points on the western (Waikato) side are at the SH29/24 and SH29/28 intersections and on the eastern (BOP) side at the SH29/Cambridge Road intersection. Emergency services will have access at all times, and residents can access their property from the relevant side of the closure.

    Other upcoming work sites scheduled to get underway in December include near Soldiers Road and Kaimai School. View more on these in the map below.

    View/download map [PDF, 275 KB]

    As much work as possible will be completed ahead of Christmas and a short break over the holiday period. Crews will then get back into it until autumn sets in.

    In addition to this, the SH29 Tauriko Enabling Works project is also underway, with lots of activity along the state highway between Belk and Cambridge Roads. 

    Tauriko Enabling Works

    Meanwhile on the Waikato side, works are also ongoing at the SH1/29 intersection in Piarere. 

    SH1/SH29 intersection

    People are encouraged to plan ahead and see where disruptive works are by using the NZTA Journey Planner.

    NZTA Journey Planner(external link)

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi thanks road users and the community for their patience.

    *All dates are subject to weather.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza, Israel confirms

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) jointly confirmed Thursday that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli soldiers on Wednesday.

    This file photo taken on May 1, 2017 shows Yahya Sinwar (front) in Gaza city. (Photo by Wissam Nassar/Xinhua)

    “IDF soldiers from the Southern Command eliminated Yahya Sinwar … in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

    The IDF said that its soldiers killed three militants in the operation, and later, it turned out that one of them was Sinwar, who “was responsible for the murder and abduction of many Israelis.”

    According to the statement, Sinwar was killed after hiding over the past year behind the civilian population of Gaza, both above and below ground, in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip.

    “The dozens of operations carried out by the IDF and the ISA over the last year, and in recent weeks in the area where he was eliminated, restricted Sinwar’s operational movement as he was pursued by the forces and led to his elimination,” the statement added.

    Shortly before the IDF statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed Sinwar’s death in a message to foreign ministers of other countries, saying that “this is a great military and moral achievement for Israel.”

    According to the foreign minister, “the elimination of Sinwar creates a possibility for the immediate release of the Israeli abductees and to bring about a change that will lead to a new reality in Gaza, without Hamas nor Iranian control.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: DPRK top leader says S. Korea is a foreign, hostile country

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    The top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) called South Korea “a foreign country and an apparent hostile country,” and stressed “useless awareness about fellow countrymen and unreasonable idea of reunification” when he addressed inter-Korean relations, as he called for ramping up the war execution capabilities during an inspection trip to the headquarters of the 2nd Corps of the Korean People’s Army on Thursday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday.

    Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, made the remarks as made the trip to encourage the officers and troops of the large combined unit that “have reliably defended the territory of our state, always maintaining full combat readiness on high alert at the forefront near the border,” the KCNA said.

    Kim learned of the combat readiness of the military units ready for combat operations under the corps after being briefed on the current situation.

    The KCNA said the DPRK leader reminded to the armed forces of “the stark fact that the ROK is a foreign country and an apparent hostile country,” referring to South Korea by using the acronym of its official name, the Republic of Korea.

    Recalling that the DPRK has completely blocked the roads and railways to the ROK territory two days ago through detonations, Kim said that the move means “not only the physical closure but also the end of the evil relationship with Seoul” and “the complete removal of the useless awareness about fellow countrymen and unreasonable idea of reunification,” according to the KCNA report. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Statement from Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, U.S. Central Command, on the Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

    Source: United States Central Command (CENTCOM)

    Oct. 17, 2024
    Release Number 20241017 – 01
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    “Congratulations to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the mass-murdering leader of the terrorist group, Hamas. Sinwar was the ruthless mastermind of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel that massacred more 1,200 innocent civilians, including more than 40 Americans. More than 250 innocent men, women, and children were taken hostage, including 12 Americans. 101 hostages remain missing, including seven Americans.

    U.S. Central Command’s support to the Israel Defense Forces remains ironclad. Our commitment to countering terrorists throughout the Middle East, with allies and partners, continues to be a top priority. Those who choose the path of terrorism should expect the same fate as Sinwar.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: 28 killed, 160 injured in Israeli bombing on school-turned shelter in N. Gaza

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Displaced Palestinians are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Oct. 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    At least 28 Palestinians were killed and 160 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a school housing displaced people in the Jabalia camp of northern Gaza Strip on Thursday, the Hamas-run Gaza government media office said.

    Fires broke out in the tents of the displaced individuals in the schoolyard because of the bombing. Some casualties were transferred to a hospital in northern Gaza, while ambulance teams were unable to reach the people in the targeted school, according to the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.

    Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that the Israeli Air Force conducted a “precise strike” on an operational meeting point for Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants in northern Gaza.

    The militants were operating inside a command and control center embedded inside a compound that previously served as the Abu Hassan School, the IDF said.

    Dozens of militants were present in the compound at the time of the strike, said the IDF, which also published 12 names of those present.

    The militants were involved in rocket attacks into the Israeli territory, as well as in planning and committing attacks against IDF troops and Israel in recent days, it claimed.

    Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for the Civil Defense in Gaza, said Thursday in a statement that the Israeli army is carrying out a “systematic destruction” of the Jabalia camp, using all means, including explosive robots, to empty the camp.

    The Israeli army refuses to allow ambulances to reach the area and transport the casualties, while bodies of victims are still under the rubble, Basal said.

    Meanwhile, Gaza-based health authorities warned Thursday in a press statement that newborns in the nursery of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza are facing a humanitarian disaster due to a fuel crisis and a shortage of medicines and medical supplies amid ongoing Israeli siege of northern Gaza.

    Also on Thursday, Palestinian paramedics said they recovered the bodies of five people killed in two separate attacks on a house and a gathering north of Gaza City.

    Palestinian sources also reported at least 17 deaths on Thursday in other places across Gaza. According to the sources, three people were killed and dozens of others wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a tent housing displaced people in the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza.

    Medics told Xinhua that eight people were killed and dozens of others injured in an Israeli bombing on a house belonging to the al-Helou family west of Gaza City, while the Civil Defense Authority in Gaza said Thursday in a press statement that its team recovered the bodies of six Palestinians killed in a bombing in the town of al-Fakhari, east of Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.

    Local sources and eyewitnesses told Xinhua that Israeli aircraft and artillery intensively bombed the outskirts of the Zeitoun neighborhood in southern Gaza and the Sabra neighborhood in the west, amidst gunfire from Israeli tanks.

    According to the IDF, its troops have killed militants and destroyed infrastructure in the area of Rafah in southern Gaza over the past day, dismantled a “terrorist cell” and located a large number of weapons in northern Gaza, and dismantled military infrastructure and killed militants in central Gaza, including in the outskirts of Nuseirat and Al Bureij refugee camps. The IDF did not specify the number of the casualties.

    Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

    The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 42,438, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Thursday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of 49th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting between Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and Chairman of the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-Soo

    Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Headline: Readout of 49th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting between Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and Chairman of the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-Soo

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Chairman of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-Soo virtually today during the 49th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting (MCM).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NSA/CSS Donates Two Tractor Trailers of Food in Feds Feed Families Campaign

    Source: National Security Agency NSA

    National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS) affiliates across the Enterprise helped raise 136,472 pounds of food in this year’s Feds Feed Families (FFF) Summer Food Drive.

    “The success of this year’s campaign is a testament to those who gave generously to help their community,” said Gen Tim Haugh, Commander, USCYBERCOM, Director, NSA/Chief, CSS.

    The drive concluded in August, with NSA/CSS Washington’s portion going to a local food bank, which provides more than 41 million meals to families in need every year.

    “It’s incredible to see firsthand the impact that this Agency has on the local community,” said FFF Program Manager Veronica Maylish Beckenstrater. “I witnessed so much generosity — from folks dropping food off to online donations, including those who donated to enter the cutest pet photo contest.”

    “I was so pleased to see employees getting involved with the events and contests this year,” said Marlisa Smith, NSA Chief of Staff and senior advocate for the 2024 FFF campaign. “Giving back is such a wonderful way for our employees to make a difference.”

    The overall FFF campaign, led by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is an annual government-wide campaign that encourages Federal Government employees to donate food, money, or volunteer hours. It occurs during the summer months to help food banks and pantries stay stocked during a period when donations usually decline and the need increases.

     “Some affiliates may not realize how empty local food banks can get during the summer months,” said NSA’s volunteer program manager. “It’s actually been hard to schedule volunteer morale building activities at food banks in the NSA Washington area this spring and summer because some of their shelves have been bare.”

    The generosity of NSA/CSS employees helped to fill this gap, according to Maylish Beckenstrater.

    “The FFF team and workforce’s dedication was vital to the success of the campaign and will provide food to many families and their pets in our community,” said State and Local Affairs Chief Barry Boseman.

    When combined with NSA/CSS’s contributions to the Combined Federal Campaign that were given to charities focused on food and nutrition, NSA has donated 1,417,631 pounds so far this calendar year.

    “This makes NSA/CSS the second highest food donor in the Department of Defense so far this year, which is pretty incredible,” said Maylish Beckenstrater.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Readout of 49th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting between Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., and Chairman of the Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-Soo

    Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

    October 17, 2024

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joint Staff Spokesperson Navy Capt. Jereal Dorsey provided the following readout:

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Chairman of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-Soo virtually today during the 49th Republic of Korea and United States Military Committee Meeting (MCM).

    Adm. Kim and Lt. Gen. Jin Yong-Sung, Chief Director of J5 (acting), ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, represented the ROK delegation.  Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joined Gen. Brown as part of the U.S. delegation.  Gen. Paul LaCamera, Commander, United Nations Command (UNC), Combined Forces Command (CFC), and U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), represented the ROK-U.S. CFC.

    During the discussions, Gen. Brown and Adm. Kim recognized the significance of the U.S.-ROK alliance over the last 71 years.  The alliance underscores the shared sacrifice and ironclad commitment of the U.S. and ROK to maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. The leaders recognized the importance of maintaining a robust combined defensive posture to deter additional provocations from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). 

    The two leaders expressed concerns over key regional and peninsular security challenges, including the DPRK threats across all domains, including increasing missile capabilities, nuclear threats, cyber-attacks. Adm. Kim emphasized the illegitimacy of recent ongoing act of DPRK sending trash balloons into the ROK and the DPRK’s recent declaration naming the ROK as a hostile state. Both leaders underscored that the DPRK’s provocative acts, and the DPRK’s enhance military cooperation with Russia destabilize peace and security on the Peninsula and across the globe. 

    Both leaders discussed the responsibilities of recently activated ROK Strategic Command (ROK STRATCOM), and the importance of closely connecting its capabilities and planning activities to the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command per the Washington Declaration of 2023.  Gen. Brown reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to extended deterrence and the defense of the ROK.

    The leaders lauded each country’s contributions in enhancing and improving trilateral cooperation to include a flight of two U.S. B-52 strategic bombers that flew with fighter aircraft from both South Korea and Japan, marking the first trilateral aerial exercise between the nations.  Additionally, both leaders highly commended the inaugural execution of exercise Freedom Edge, a trilateral multi-domain exercise, which further promoted interoperability between the three nations. 

    Further, Gen. Brown and Adm. Kim acknowledged the meaningful progress made across the various fields in the conditions-based operational control transition plan for the ROK-U.S. Future Combined Forces Command (F-CFC).

    Both leaders affirmed, in the strongest words possible, their unwavering commitment to the combined defense posture under the U.S. – ROK Mutual Defense Treaty, emphasizing their dedication to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region. 

    The MCM is part of the U.S. – ROK bilateral consultation process, which convenes annually or as required.  The committee provides strategic direction and operational guidance to the CFC in defense of the ROK and addresses Alliance military issues.  The United States and the ROK have alternated hosting this meeting in Washington, D.C. and Seoul since it first convened in 1978.

    The 49th MCM was planned to be held in Washington D.C., however, after mutual coordination, was held virtually in light of the recent grave security developments on the Peninsula.

    For more Joint Staff news, visit: www.jcs.mil.
    Connect with the Joint Staff on social media: 
    Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube,
    LinkedIn and Flickr.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: Israeli military confirms killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    This file photo taken on May 1, 2017 shows Yahya Sinwar (front) in Gaza city. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Israel Security Agency (ISA) jointly confirmed Thursday that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in the Gaza Strip by Israeli soldiers on Wednesday.

    “IDF soldiers from the Southern Command eliminated Yahya Sinwar … in an operation in the southern Gaza Strip,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

    The IDF said that its soldiers killed three militants in the operation, and later, it turned out that one of them was Sinwar, who “was responsible for the murder and abduction of many Israelis.”

    According to the statement, Sinwar was killed after hiding over the past year behind the civilian population of Gaza, both above and below ground, in Hamas tunnels in the Gaza Strip.

    “The dozens of operations carried out by the IDF and the ISA over the last year, and in recent weeks in the area where he was eliminated, restricted Sinwar’s operational movement as he was pursued by the forces and led to his elimination,” the statement added.

    Shortly before the IDF statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz confirmed Sinwar’s death in a message to foreign ministers of other countries, saying that “this is a great military and moral achievement for Israel.”

    According to the foreign minister, “the elimination of Sinwar creates a possibility for the immediate release of the Israeli abductees and to bring about a change that will lead to a new reality in Gaza, without Hamas nor Iranian control.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: DPRK top leader calls S. Korea ‘foreign country and apparent hostile country’

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The top leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) called South Korea “a foreign country and an apparent hostile country,” and stressed “useless awareness about fellow countrymen and unreasonable idea of reunification” when he addressed inter-Korean relations, as he called for ramping up the war-fighting capabilities during an inspection trip to the headquarters of the 2nd Corps of the Korean People’s Army on Thursday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday.

    Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, made the remarks as he made the trip to encourage the officers and troops of the large combined unit that “have reliably defended the territory of our state, always maintaining full combat readiness on high alert at the forefront near the border,” the KCNA said.

    Kim learned of the combat readiness of the military units ready for combat operations under the corps after being briefed on the current situation.

    The KCNA said the DPRK leader reminded the armed forces of “the stark fact that the ROK is a foreign country and an apparent hostile country,” referring to South Korea by using the acronym of its official name, the Republic of Korea.

    Recalling that the DPRK has completely blocked the roads and railways to the ROK territory two days ago through detonations, Kim said that the move means “not only the physical closure but also the end of the evil relationship with Seoul” and “the complete removal of the useless awareness about fellow countrymen and unreasonable idea of reunification,” according to the KCNA report.

    “When the DPRK sovereignty is violated by the ROK, a hostile country, its physical forces will be used unhesitatingly, without sticking to (any) conditions any longer,” Kim was quoted by the KCNA as saying.

    Citing serious security circumstances, Kim urged the DPRK military “to continue concentrating all efforts on bolstering up the war-fighting capabilities, and to take more perfect military steps for reliably defending the security of the country through the permanent overwhelming combat readiness,” the KCNA said.

    In the latest sign of the heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, the DPRK confirmed on Thursday that the roads and railways connecting South Korea in the eastern and western parts of the DPRK southern border had been completely blocked through explosion operations, a previous KCNA report said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Elements of the 15th MEU Return Home from Deployment Aboard USS Harpers Ferry

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.  –  

    More than 300 Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), returned home to San Diego Oct. 16 after completing a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 7th and 3rd Fleet areas of operation.

    The deployment, which began on March 19, marked a milestone as it included the first operational use of the Marine Corps’ new amphibious combat vehicles. The experience and insights gained by the ACV Platoon and Battalion Landing Team 1/5 during this deployment have laid the groundwork for refining tactics, logistics, and maintenance practices for future expeditionary operations.

    “Our team aboard Harpers Ferry made lasting contributions in the Indo-Pacific, conducting training while integrated with our allies, in both the Philippines and South Korea,” said Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th MEU. “They accomplished so much during these seven months while taking on the unique responsibility of employing ACVs on their first deployment. The lessons they learned and the procedures they developed with their Navy counterparts will inform future operations for years to come.”

    Elements of the 15th MEU aboard Harpers Ferry included Marines and Sailors from the Command Element, BLT 1/5, and Combat Logistics Battalion 15.

    During the deployment, 15th MEU forces aboard Harpers Ferry engaged in three major exercises. In the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, Marines and Sailors joined other elements of the 15th MEU assigned to the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) in the Philippines for Exercise Balikatan 24. This bilateral exercise, conducted with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, focused on securing key maritime terrain, conducting simulated long-range precision strikes, and enhancing missile defense capabilities.

    During Balikatan, the ACV Platoon conducted a live-fire waterborne gunnery exercise in Oyster Bay, marking the first overseas employment of ACVs. Using their automated remote weapons systems, the ACVs engaged simulated targets afloat and on shore.

    After the conclusion of Balikatan, the 15th MEU’s force aboard Harpers Ferry remained in the Philippines to participate in Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum (ACDC) from May 13-24. ACDC included bilateral training with the Philippine Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Brigade (3MBDE) to bolster coastal defense strategies. The 15th MEU and 3MBDE conducted large-scale coastal defense rehearsals and completed the largest military convoy to date on Palawan Island, moving forces rapidly to simulate a coastal defense scenario.

    ACDC also featured numerous subject matter expert exchanges between BLT 1/5 and CLB-15 with their Philippine counterparts on various topics, such as weapons employment, unmanned aircraft systems integration, tactical combat casualty care, and motorized operations. These exchanges strengthened U.S.-Philippine bilateral military proficiency and improved mutual understanding of defense tactics in the Philippines.

    Following ACDC in the Philippines, the 15th MEU embarked aboard Harpers Ferry and traveled to Okinawa, Japan. On June 24, Alpha Company, BLT 1/5, and the ACV Platoon conducted a ship-to-shore movement, with the ACVs splashing into the waters off White Beach Naval Facility after Alpha Company’s Marines practiced troop egress and transfer procedures. This marked the ACVs’ first time ashore in a foreign country.

    In August, the 15th MEU’s forces aboard the USS Harpers Ferry arrived in South Korea to conduct two weeks of unit-level training (ULT) alongside the Republic of Korea Marine Corps’ 7th Brigade. During this period, the Marines demonstrated the off-road mobility and automated crew-served weapons capabilities of the new ACVs in a series of live-fire exercises.

    The highlight of their month-long stay was Exercise Ssang Yong 24, where Alpha Company embarked the ACVs for a large-scale amphibious landing at Hwajin-ri Beach near Pohang. Meaning “twin dragons,” Ssang Yong featured the first overseas amphibious assault conducted with ACVs, as U.S. and Korean forces landed together, strengthening the ROK-U.S. Alliance and the capability to defend the Korean Peninsula.

    “Working with our allies in South Korea one-on-one at the tactical level was extremely rewarding for both our Marines and the ROK Marines,” said Capt. Erik Lindskog, the Alpha Company commander. “Through the combined training, both live fire and information exchanges, we learned a lot from each other. In South Korea and in the Philippines, we arrived as training partners, worked through language barriers, and we left as friends.”

    Throughout the deployment, the ACVs demonstrated their versatility, maneuverability, and firepower in various scenarios, ranging from beach assaults to coordinated live-fire defense operations. The data and lessons learned from these exercises will help shape the future use of ACVs in amphibious operations and ensure the Marine Corps continues to refine the tactics and procedures necessary for employing this new platform.

    “The work our Marines and Sailors aboard Harpers Ferry have completed over the past seven months, both strengthening alliances and advancing new Marine Corps capabilities, has been simply outstanding,” said Lt. Col. Nicholas Freeman, the commanding officer of BLT 1/5. “Our ACV Platoon and the rest of Alpha Company have been literally writing the book on employing this platform, albeit with tremendous support from leaders and experts from across our Service. I’m grateful for all the dedication that got us to this deployment, and I’m proud of how this team has done everything they can to help lead the modernization of the assault amphibian community.”

    The 15th MEU’s Marines and Sailors aboard Harpers Ferry played a critical role in advancing U.S. military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, enhancing regional security by strengthening relationships with key allies, and shaping future deployments of the amphibious combat vehicle in expeditionary environments.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Meeting with Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force Vice Adm. Aaron Beng

    Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Headline: Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s Meeting with Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force Vice Adm. Aaron Beng

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., met with Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force Vice Adm. Aaron Beng yesterday at the Pentagon.

    Gen. Brown and Vice Adm. Beng discussed current threats in the Indo-Pacific region and opportunities for interoperability between militaries. As part of his formal counterpart visit, Vice Adm. Beng also participated in an Armed Forces Full Honor Arrival ceremony hosted by Gen. Brown at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz Statement On Defense Department Correcting Discharges For Service Members Unfairly Discharged Under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    Schatz Has Led Bipartisan Efforts in the Senate to Correct Records, Reinstate Benefits for Impacted Veterans

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement after the Department of Defense announced that more than 800 service members who were unfairly discharged from the military under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ will be upgraded to an honorable discharge.

    “It’s long past time that LGBTQ+ veterans who bravely served our country received the honorable service records they deserve and the benefits that go with it,” said Senator Schatz. “While these record corrections are welcome relief for hundreds of service members, it’s essential that the Department of Defense continues its efforts to ensure they receive the full benefits they are entitled to and any veterans not included in this review receive upgrades as quickly as possible.”

    Schatz has led bipartisan efforts in the Senate through the Restore Honor to Service Members Act to correct the military records of service members unjustly discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation under ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and support access to the benefits they have earned.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Tours Bayou Bend Health and Wellness Center

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    LAFAYETTE – Today, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) toured the Bayou Bend Health and Wellness Center, which has served patients in St. Mary Parish since 1953 and provides many of the same services a patient can find at hospitals in large cities.

    “As a doctor, I know that good health care is important for the individual, the family, and the community,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Families will move to a community based upon the quality of their health care. Bayou Bend is meeting those needs and then some.”
    Last July, Cassidy reintroduced the bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which would expand coverage of chronic weight management medications and specialists within Medicare. 
    Additionally, Cassidy has introduced legislation to support rural health care and the communities they serve. That includes the Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act to support rural ambulance services, the PEERS in Medicare Act to encourage peer counseling for senior citizens, and the CONNECT for Health Act to support telehealth through Medicare. The announcement by Cassidy and Governor Jeff Landry in August of $1.35 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for rural broadband will help provide the foundation necessary to expand telehealth throughout Louisiana.

    Bayou Bend provides numerous medical services to its patients, including respiratory therapy, radiology, pain management and rehabilitation, maternity and newborn nursery services, and surgical care. Their Wellness Center features a fitness center with an indoor walking track, group exercise studios and a place for cycling, as well as space for wellness testing and expanded therapy. Cassidy toured both the hospital and wellness center and was led by Ms. Stephanie Guidry, CEO of Bayou Bend.
    “We are so thankful that Senator Cassidy took some time out of his schedule for a tour,” said Ms. Guidry. “We had wonderful discussions about Bayou Bend’s growth and strategy to transition from treating illness to creating wellness in the communities we serve. During the tour of our Wellness Center, we share some patient success stories that illustrate our efforts to combat diseases like hypertension and diabetes through wellness initiatives. We also shared that in just our first year open, we’ve had over 100,000 check-ins to the facility, and members have recorded almost 10 million calories burned! Our team has done a tremendous job of providing a place that is ‘more than just a gym,’ and I think our community is better off because of it.”

    Later, Cassidy visited local leaders in Morgan City, including the Mayors of Morgan City and Franklin and the Executive Director of the Morgan City Harbor and Terminal District. He led a discussion on improving St. Mary Parish’s infrastructure, among other topics. Cassidy’s IIJA has delivered millions of dollars throughout the parish, including nearly $20 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2022 for construction, damage repairs, and levee surfacing replacements along the Atchafalaya Basin, and $10 million that October to expand the Port of Morgan City’s dock. Additionally, in a separate appropriation for Fiscal Year 2024, Cassidy secured $2.3 million to upgrade the emergency operations center at the port.

    Along with mayors and other officials, Cassidy met with Mr. Evan Boudreaux, Director of Economic Development, Policy and Government Affairs for the parish.
    “A critical factor in cultivating long-lasting economic growth in any community is having all of your partners come to the table to move the needle on addressing local challenges,” said Mr. Boudreaux. “Senator Cassidy is one of the best friends St. Mary Parish has. Without the leadership of Senator Cassidy on legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, St. Mary would not have been able to access or compete for funding to address some of our greatest hindrances to creating a more vibrant community.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren’s JROTC Reforms in Action: Defense Department Puts Key Protections in Place to Protect Students

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    October 17, 2024
    Key reforms Sen. Warren secured in FY 2024 NDAA to protect JROTC students from sexual misconduct by instructors are now being implemented by DoD
    “I fought hard to get these provisions into the NDAA because it’s critical that we protect JROTC students from harm.”
    Boston, MA — In its response to a July letter led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, the Department of Defense (DoD) confirmed that it is implementing key reforms that Senator Warren secured in the fiscal year (FY) FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to protect Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) students from sexual misconduct by instructors and forced enrollment. The reforms include a standardized memorandum of agreement (MOA) to hold schools and instructors accountable, a student code of conduct and parent/guardian consent form  to provide resources and support for students and families, and prohibitions on forced enrollment, requirements for schools to quickly report allegations of instructor misconduct to DoD. 
    “It’s unthinkable that students who have joined JROTC to develop leadership skills and learn about military service have been abused by their instructors — adults they’re supposed to be able to trust,” said Senator Warren. “I fought hard to get these provisions into the NDAA because it’s critical that we protect JROTC students from harm. I’m glad to see the Department of Defense taking important steps to implement these reforms, and I’ll keep working to make sure they’re put into action as effectively as possible.”
    In July, Senator Warren led Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, in urging the Department of Defense to fully implement FY 2024 NDAA provisions from the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Safety Act of 2023. The letter followed a Warren-led Senate investigation revealing that between 2012 and 2022, DoD had received 114 allegations of violence, including sexual abuse and sexual harassment of JROTC students by instructors. The investigation was conducted after a 2022 New York Times report that exposed an alarming pattern of sexual assault and harassment in the program. In many cases, reports of sexual harassment or assault went nowhere and instructors who were reported would escape without consequence.
    Key provisions being implemented as a direct result of Senator Warren’s provisions from the JROTC Safety Act in the FY 2024 NDAA and her ongoing advocacy include:
    Holding schools and instructors accountable: DoD has standardized a MOA to use with institutions with JROTC programs. The addendums specific to each military service are being finalized and expect to be fully used this academic year. DoD developed the JROTC Instructor Prohibited Activities Acknowledgement form, which JROTC Instructors must review and acknowledge annually. DoD is also requiring a 1:30 ratio of oversight personnel to JROTC units for annual in-person inspections.
    Supporting students and families: DoD has established a JROTC student code of conduct and parent/guardian consent form  to provide resources for students to report instructor misconduct. Parents, guardians and students will need to acknowledge it annually, and it has been “translated into Spanish to minimize language barriers.” In addition to identifying the school’s Title IX coordinator, it provides them military service points of contact so that parents and guardians and students can reach out to DoD directly with concerns about instructor conduct. 
    Prohibiting forced enrollment: Under the new JROTC student code of conduct and parent/guardian consent form, the student and their parent or guardian must explicitly acknowledge that the program is voluntary. The new standardized MOAs also require the school district or local education activity to also acknowledge that JROTC is a voluntary program. 
    Timely reporting requirements for schools and DoD: Under the new MOA, schools must “report to the Military Service point of contact, within 1 business day, any disciplinary or administrative action levied upon a JROTC instructor…the initiation of any investigation into alleged JROTC instructor misconduct…and any changes in the employment status of a JROTC instructor.” DoD has also created procedures to “ensure that such reports are quickly communicated” to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and has implemented a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Department of Education (ED) to share information about possible Title IX violations.
    Improving communication between DoD and ED: DoD and ED have established an MOU to formalize and improve information sharing on possible Title IX violations.
    New data on JROTC Title IX violations in academic year 2022-2023: In response to a reporting requirement from Congress, DoD reported 21 alleged Title IX violations in the 2022-2023 academic year, including for sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination. The report also provides a list of actions DoD took during the 2022-2023 academic year to mitigate sexual misconduct and harassment in JROTC.
    As Chair of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, Senator Warren has led efforts to hold the Department of Defense and the Department of Education accountable for their management of the JROTC program:
    In May 2023, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Stephen F. Lynch (D-Mass.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), and Chrissy M. Houlahan (D-Pa.), applauded the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for launching a review of the JROTC program following a letter from the lawmakers requesting such a review.
    In March 2023, chairing her first hearing of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, Senator Warren highlighted the importance of addressing existing failures in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC).
    In February 2023, Senators Warren, Hirono, Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), sent a letter to the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Education (ED) amid reports of students being forced to join the JROTC program.
    In September 2022, during a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Warrenquestioned top DoD personnel officials on disturbing reports of widespread patterns of sexual misconduct by instructors in the JROTC program, where they admitted DoD’s lack of adequate oversight to prevent sexual misconduct by instructors and ensure the safety of students.
    In September 2022, Senator Warren, along with Senators Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Hirono (D-Hawaii), opened an investigation into the JROTC program, following reports of widespread patterns of sexual misconduct by instructors in the program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s death is a defining moment, but it will not end the war

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Parmeter, Research scholar, Middle East studies, Australian National University

    The death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, one of the masterminds behind the group’s horrific October 7 2023 attack on southern Israel, is no doubt a consequential moment in Israel’s year-long war against Hamas.

    But is it a turning point?

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sinwar’s killing – long a major objective of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) – would signal the “beginning of the end” of the war. But he made clear the war is not over.

    In fact, Benny Gantz, a former defence minister and member of the war cabinet, said the IDF would continue to operate in Gaza “for years to come”.

    So, what exactly will be the impact of Sinwar’s death?

    Does this change anything?

    Sinwar’s death does change at least one aspect of the war. He was an iconic figure, for better or worse, for Palestinians. He was seen as someone who was taking the fight to Israel.

    With Sinwar still alive and Hamas hitting back at Israel’s war in Gaza, the group was actually increasing in popularity.

    Opinion polling in late May showed support for Hamas among Palestinians in the Occupied Territories had reached 40%, a six-point increase from three months earlier. Support for the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank, was about half that.

    Sinwar’s demise changes the face of Hamas. It could be a major turning point if Hamas is unable to replace him with a leader as strong as he was.

    One of the names being discussed is Khaled Mashal, the former head of Hamas’ political office who still remains influential in the organisation.

    This moment offers an opportunity for a new Hamas leader to seek a ceasefire with Israel and an end to the horrific conditions in which Gazans are living. But there’s still the question of whether Sinwar’s death achieves Israel’s war objectives.

    What would constitute a victory for Netanyahu?

    The main issue is that Netanyahu’s war aims have not yet been achieved:

    • the elimination of Hamas as a fighting force and a danger to Israel

    • the freeing of the roughly 100 Israeli hostages still believed to be held in Gaza, as many as half of whom may now be dead

    • the re-establishment of deterrence with Hezbollah in Lebanon to allow the 60,000 Israelis who have been evacuated from northern Israel to return home.

    Although the killing of Sinwar is a major step towards restricting Hamas’ ability to maintain its war against the IDF in Gaza, Israeli soldiers still face some very significant problems there.

    Over the past year, Hamas has morphed from an organised fighting force into guerrilla mode, which makes its fighters much more difficult to eliminate completely.

    The classic methodology for dealing with a guerrilla force is “clear, hold and build”. This means you clear an area of the enemy, put troops in to hold the area, and then build an environment in which the enemy can’t re-establish itself.

    Israel can certainly do the “clearing” and “holding”, but has not been able to build an environment in which Hamas can no longer operate.

    Israeli journalists who have been embedded with Israeli forces have made the point that Hamas operatives are returning to areas that were previously cleared by the IDF, in part due to the group’s extensive tunnel network.

    Other complications for Netanyahu

    Another issue for Netanyahu is that right-wing members of his cabinet have threatened to resign from his governing coalition if he agrees to a ceasefire before Hamas is destroyed as a fighting force. They believe Hamas could use a ceasefire to regroup and re-establish itself as a serious threat to Israel.

    At the same time, Netanyahu is also facing increasing pressure over the fate of the hostages. If there isn’t a ceasefire and negotiations to release them, their families and supporters will continue the large demonstrations they have been staging in Israel in recent months. They are desperate to get back any hostages who may still be alive and the remains of those who have died.

    Netanyahu is also still weighing Israel’s promised retaliation against Iran for its missile attack against the Jewish state in early October.

    If Israel does launch a major strike, what does Iran do in response? Iran’s problem is that it had always relied on a strong Hezbollah in Lebanon to be able to respond to Israel militarily on its behalf. And now it seems to have lost that as Hezbollah has been significantly weakened in recent weeks.

    The US sees a potential off-ramp

    Another aspect, of course, is where the United States stands on this. The US has made clear it sees Sinwar’s death as being an off-ramp for Israel in Gaza – it can claim a major strategic victory and essentially agree to a ceasefire.

    In recent weeks, the US has also given Israel an ultimatum, saying if there isn’t an improvement in the amount of humanitarian aid going into Gaza by the end of November, it will cut off some military aid to Israel.

    The Democrats want the war to end as soon as possible, because while it’s on the front pages of US newspapers, it divides the party and could encourage some voters not to come out and vote in the presidential election.

    So it’s very important for the Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, that there be a ceasefire as soon as possible. She said as much in her remarks today:

    Hamas is decimated and its leadership is eliminated. This moment gives us an opportunity to finally end the war in Gaza.

    The problem, however, is that Netanyahu has shown in the past he is prepared to go against US wishes whenever it suits him. And a ceasefire does not suit his purposes at this point.

    Given Republican nominee Donald Trump’s steadfast support for Netanyahu, the Israeli leader would also be more than happy to see him return to the White House.

    What’s most likely to happen

    Taking all of these factors into account, Netanyahu is likely to prioritise keeping his government together.

    As such, he will be more guided by its very right-wing members – Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir – than by the US or the families of the hostages.

    AFter Sinwar’s death, Smotrich said the IDF “must increase intense military pressure in the Strip”, while Ben Gvir called on Israel to “continue with all our strength until absolute victory”.

    So at this stage, it seems likely the war will continue until Netanyahu can say Hamas has been destroyed as a fighting force. That is what his cabinet is demanding to achieve the government’s war aims.

    Ian Parmeter does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar’s death is a defining moment, but it will not end the war – https://theconversation.com/hamas-leader-yahya-sinwars-death-is-a-defining-moment-but-it-will-not-end-the-war-241666

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Consumer law reform: consumer protections gain momentum with latest announcements

    Source: Allens Insights

    Stronger guarantees, AI rules and ban on unfair trading 10 min read

    The Federal Government has signalled its commitment to advancing major consumer law reforms with three key announcements this week that included proposals to strengthen consumer guarantees, ban unfair trading practices and introduce artificial intelligence (AI) specific protections—all of which could significantly alter the landscape for both suppliers and manufacturers. 

    With Government seeking feedback on these reforms, companies should stay informed and actively engage in consultation processes to ensure any changes are fit for purpose and take into consideration relevant business concerns. In addition, companies should consider how these proposals could impact their businesses and take steps to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

    In this Insight, we provide an update on the proposals so far and their potential implications for business.

    Key takeaways

    • Treasury is seeking feedback on updates to the consumer guarantees regime, including civil prohibitions and penalties for suppliers or manufacturers that fail to provide remedies for consumer guarantees, and for manufacturers who fail to indemnify suppliers as required by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
    • The Prime Minister’s office has announced plans for a ban on unfair trading practices, though details on the specific legislation are still pending. The ban is expected to include a general prohibition on unfair trading practices, along with specific prohibitions against issues like drip pricing, subscription traps and misleading online practices that create a false sense of urgency.
    • Treasury is seeking feedback on whether it should expand the ACL to cover AI-specific consumer law issues, including mandatory guardrails with specific requirements for AI-related consumer products and services and reforming remedies to better suit defective AI-enabled goods and services.

    Moves to strengthen the consumer guarantees regime

    On 16 October 2024, the Government announced plans to introduce new civil prohibitions and penalties for breaches of the consumer guarantees and supplier indemnification (CGSI) provisions of the ACL. The announcement was accompanied by a Consultation Paper seeking stakeholder feedback on how the proposed prohibitions and penalties should be designed.

    This announcement builds on a consultation undertaken in 2021 on ways to improve CGSI provisions of the ACL and incorporates findings from the 2023 Australian Consumer Survey, including that consumers find it difficult to obtain remedies for consumer guarantees failures. The Consultation Paper notes that:

    • for low-cost goods, consumers are less likely to enforce their statutory rights when it is cheaper and easier to ‘just buy another one’ or to pay for a repair; and
    • for high-value goods, consumers may struggle to understand the process involved in making a complaint and/or find it prohibitively time-consuming, costly or difficult to pursue one.

    The proposed reforms seek to respond to a range of concerns with the status quo, including that:

    • the difficulties outlined above mean costs can be transferred from a non-compliant supplier or manufacturer to a consumer and lead to poorer outcomes for consumers and the economy;
    • suppliers and manufacturers lack incentives to comply with the consumer guarantees; and
    • some suppliers may also face difficulties obtaining indemnification from manufacturers and/or face retaliatory behaviours if they seek to be indemnified.

    The Government is seeking to respond to the concerns outlined above by introducing reforms that would:

    • prohibit suppliers from refusing to provide remedies to consumers where there has been a major failure under the consumer guarantees (remedy failure prohibition);
    • prohibit manufacturers from failing to indemnify suppliers;
    • make it unlawful for a manufacturer to retaliate against a supplier for seeking indemnification following a consumer guarantees failure; and
    • introduce civil penalties for contraventions of the prohibitions above, as well as an ability for regulators to issue infringement notices or pursue litigation where they have reasonable grounds to believe a contravention has occurred.

    The Consultation Paper notes that the introduction of these prohibitions would enable ACL regulators to enforce the CGSI provisions in circumstances where rights are currently only enforceable by affected consumers and businesses. The Paper also acknowledges a submission made by the ACCC that, if regulators were able to take direct enforcement action, this would likely lead to greater judicial consideration of the consumer guarantees and result in greater clarity in the law.

    Key issues the Government is seeking feedback on include:

    • whether any aspects of the consumer guarantees need to be clarified prior to the introduction of prohibitions and penalties, noting concerns have previously been raised regarding whether penalties are appropriate in circumstances where concepts such as ‘reasonable consumer’ and ‘major failure’ are difficult to apply in practice;
    • whether the remedy failure prohibition should apply to all goods and services or whether a value threshold should be applied and/or only be applied to new motor vehicles;
    • at what amount an infringement notice or maximum civil penalty should be set; and
    • if it is appropriate to factor in depreciation when determining an appropriate refund amount, noting that, at present, where there has been a major failure, a consumer is entitled to a replacement or full refund even where they have had the benefit of the use of a product for an extended period of time.

    Treasury will engage with targeted stakeholders on the proposed design of the civil prohibitions and penalties and is seeking public feedback by Thursday 14 November 2024.

    Anticipated ban on unfair trading practices takes shape

    On Wednesday 16 October 2024, the Prime Minister’s office announced it will legislate a ban on unfair trading practices. The announcement is long awaited and follows the Federal Treasury’s consultation on the introduction of such a prohibition, which took place between August and November 2023 (the 2023 Consultation). The ACCC has previously recommended that an unfair trading practices prohibition be introduced into the ACL in a number of contexts, including the final report of the 2019 Digital Platforms Inquiry.

    The Government’s media release states that the reforms are about ‘easing the cost of living and getting a fair go for consumers and suppliers’. It non-exhaustively identifies the following practices that the reforms will address:

    • subscription traps: arduous and confusing steps that make cancelling a subscription difficult;
    • drip pricing: practices where fees are hidden or added throughout the stages of a purchase;
    • deceptive or manipulative online practices: practices that aim to confuse or overwhelm consumers, omit or hide material information, or create a false sense of urgency (such as warnings that a customer only has limited time to purchase a product);
    • dynamic pricing: changing the price of a product during the transaction process;
    • accounts and information provisions: requiring consumers to set up an account and provide unnecessary information to make an online purchase; and
    • reporting of issues: making it difficult for a consumer to contact a business when they have a problem with a product or service.

    The Government is yet to release any specific legislative drafting or design for consultation and has foreshadowed a final reform proposal in the first half of 2025.

    Enhancing Australian consumer law to address AI

    On 15 October 2024, Treasury released a Discussion Paper which examines whether the ACL remains fit for purpose to protect consumers from the potential harms of the use of AI. The ACL currently contains a combination of both general and specific consumer protections which are technology-neutral, and Treasury is consulting on whether any changes to the ACL targeted specifically towards AI-enabled goods and services are necessary.

    Treasury has indicated that new and targeted consumer protections may be introduced:

    • Specific prohibitions on false and misleading representations in relation to AI and emerging technologies. Treasury raised concerns in relation to the opacity of AI systems and difficulty in predicting AI system behaviour, such as erroneous output and unwanted bias, which may increase the risk of false or misleading representations about AI-enabled goods and services, and misleading and deceptive conduct in general. In light of this, Treasury is considering whether specific prohibitions in relation to false and misleading representations, targeted towards AI-enabled goods and services, are necessary to ensure the ACL is fit for purpose in the future. Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) took law enforcement action in the United States against the alleged use of AI technology in a deceptive and unfair manner.
    • Specific consumer guarantees provisions targeted towards AI and emerging technologies. Treasury has considered views that the unique characteristics of AI may require new consumer guarantees, eg guarantees relating to cybersecurity, interoperability and the provision of software updates for a reasonable period. Treasury acknowledged that some cybersecurity risks of certain AI-enabled goods will be captured by the Government’s ongoing 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy, but it is still considering the need for bespoke consumer protections for digital products overall, such as those adopted in the United Kingdom under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (UK).
    • New product safety standards targeted towards AI and emerging technologies. There are currently no mandatory AI-specific safety standards for consumer goods or product-related services, and Treasury is assessing whether current safety standards (which include the current Voluntary AI Safety Standard) effectively guarantee the safe and responsible use of AI-enabled goods and services. Treasury is considering options for mandatory guardrails in this consultation. See our Insight on preparing for voluntary AI standards and mandatory legislation for more information.
    • Prescriptions under the unfair contract terms (UCT) regime. Treasury has noted stakeholder concerns about the possible risks to consumers arising from terms that exclude supplier and manufacturer liability in relation to AI-enabled goods and services, and is currently considering whether such terms (and similar) should be deemed as UCTs.

    Treasury has flagged that there is a need for greater clarity in the ACL in relation to AI and emerging technologies, due to the technology-neutral nature of the current language of the ACL. In principle, the existing general ACL framework should be able to address AI-related concerns, but there is uncertainty over the following issues:

    • The definition of AI-enabled goods and services, and whether this fits within the current definitions under the ACL. Whether something is a ‘good’ or a ‘service’ affects the remedies available under consumer guarantees, particularly considering the specific liability imposed on manufacturers of goods with safety defects. AI-enabled goods and services are generally a ‘mixed supply’ of goods and services, but consumers cannot claim for both a faulty good and service arising from a single transaction. Treasury is seeking to clarify this distinction for consumers in the context of AI-enabled goods and services.
    • Potential limitations of principles-based consumer guarantees. The current consumer guarantees regime contains a range of principles-based provisions that include concepts such as ‘fitness for purpose’, ‘acceptable quality’ and ‘due care and skill’. Treasury has received concerns that it is unclear how these principles-based standards may apply in the context of AI-enabled goods and services. An example is the concept of ‘durability’, which is currently set out under the ACL as a factor for assessing the acceptable quality of a product.

    Treasury has identified particular difficulties that consumers may face when accessing remedies related to AI and emerging technologies. It noted the following concerns regarding the applicability of a manufacturer’s liability for goods with safety defects (as under the ACL) in relation to AI-enabled goods and services:

    • The evidentiary burden of establishing a causal link between the safety defect and consumer loss and damage. The specific characteristics of AI systems, such as opacity, autonomous behaviour and complexity, may make it more difficult for consumers to meet this burden of proof. Treasury is considering approaches from other jurisdictions, such as that in the EU under the proposed AI Liability Directive, which includes a ‘presumption of causality’ where a number of conditions are met, shifting the onus to manufacturers to demonstrate that no causal link to consumer loss or damage exists.
    • Defences available to manufacturers. There is a concern that the current defences listed under the ACL available to manufacturers may not be appropriate for AI-enabled goods and services. For example, the defence that the safety defect did not exist at the time that a good was supplied reflects a traditional position that manufacturers retain little or no ongoing control over the goods that they supply, which is not always applicable to AI-enabled goods and services.

    The deadline for stakeholder feedback and written submissions on Treasury’s review of AI and the ACL is Tuesday, 12 November 2024.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Knightly romance and medieval flavor: Polytechnic students held the “Lonely Tower Tournament”

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    If there is a tower somewhere, then one day a valiant knight must appear next to it to save the princess imprisoned at the top. This idea was in the air at Polytechnic University, and it almost came true.

    Last Saturday, the autumn park of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was transformed, immersed in the atmosphere of a medieval knight’s tournament.

    A similar event was held here only once before as part of an all-Russian project – in 2021 In honor of the 800th anniversary of Alexander Nevsky, “Military Fun” was held in the Polytechnic Park. But for the first time, a medieval knight’s tournament was organized by the students themselves – activists of the role-playing club “Engineering Alliance” at the military-historical club “Our Polytechnic”.

    “The idea of holding such an event came to us under the impression of the unforgettable Medieval Days in Vyborg,” said the head of the Engineering Alliance RC, fourth-year student of the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology Daniil Porozov. “It was there, among archery, photo sessions in armor and the general atmosphere of knightly aesthetics, that I had a dream to participate in a real knightly tournament, to fight for the favor of beautiful ladies. This desire became the basis for the project, which came to life in the Lonely Tower Tournament.”

    Along with Daniil, the event was inspired by IBSiB student Polina Tenitskaya. And all other participants in the medieval modeling club actively helped — more than thirty people. Photographers transferred knightly aesthetics to posters, artists developed and created unique stickers and badges. Club activists assembled a model of a mantlet — a mobile protective wall — and a trebuchet — a medieval siege weapon — from scratch. This design is not just decoration, but a fully functional weapon that has passed tests for strength and accuracy.

    “Assembling wooden structures such as the mantlet, trebuchet and set pieces was a real challenge, which we all coped with together. And the guys get their costumes and weapons in different ways,” said Daniil Porozov. “Some order from experienced blacksmiths, some buy from older comrades. Some participants sew clothes and bags themselves. And Vladimir Suvorov, for example, made a full set of knightly armor himself!”

    The staff of the Polytech Tower provided invaluable assistance in organizing the event, and the guys from the Historical Dance department of the Our Polytech All-Russian Cultural Institution and the Board Games Guild provided entertainment for the guests, creating an atmosphere of celebration.

    The central event was, naturally, a knight’s tournament on a specially equipped lists. Spectators crowded around, cheered for their own and inspired them to victories. The armor rattled, constrained movement, it was hot in it, but the guys tried to be worthy of their distant ancestors and behave with honor. The tournament judges, as expected, were beautiful ladies: if the fight ended in a draw, the courtesy of the knight and how worthy he showed himself during the duel were assessed.

    Meanwhile, typical “medieval life” was in full swing around. At the sword station, those who wanted to could try their hand at fencing. Nearby, people were practicing archery. Less warlike guests tried to master the craft of chainmail weaving or leather sewing. Artists held master classes in birch bark painting. Those who liked to relax spent their time playing board games, and those who wanted to move around danced in a circle and learned ancient dances. It was pleasing that there were many children among the guests.

    “The Lonely Tower Tournament” is not just entertainment, it is the result of a passion for history, creativity and teamwork, a vivid example of how student initiative can diversify university life, says Daniil Porozov.

    Recently, the Polytechnic website published an interview in the Person section with one of the founders and former head of the medieval direction in the activities of the VIK “Our Polytechnic” Yaroslav Rusanov: “Since childhood I have been attracted to the aesthetics of medieval armor and battles”Yaroslav graduated from the university and works in his specialty, but his hobby continues to live and develop in our university, attracting more and more supporters.

    Photo: Denis Yablochkov

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://www.spbstu.ru/media/nevs/student_life/knightly-romance-and-medieval-color-polytechnic-students-held-a-lonely-tower-tournament/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tatyana Golikova presented the Certificate of Honor of the Government of Russia to the artistic director of the State Academic Folk Choir named after M.E. Pyatnitsky, Alexandra Permyakova

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova congratulated the artistic director of the Pyatnitsky State Academic Russian Folk Choir Alexandra Permyakova on her anniversary, the 55th anniversary of her creative work, and presented her with the Certificate of Honor of the Government of the Russian Federation. The festive evening took place in the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall.

    Tatyana Golikova presented the Certificate of Honor of the Government of Russia to the artistic director of the State Academic Folk Choir named after M.E. Pyatnitsky, Alexandra Permyakova

    October 18, 2024

    Tatyana Golikova presented the Certificate of Honor of the Government of Russia to the artistic director of the State Academic Folk Choir named after M.E. Pyatnitsky, Alexandra Permyakova

    October 18, 2024

    Tatyana Golikova presented the Certificate of Honor of the Government of Russia to the artistic director of the State Academic Folk Choir named after M.E. Pyatnitsky, Alexandra Permyakova

    October 18, 2024

    Tatyana Golikova presented the Certificate of Honor of the Government of Russia to the artistic director of the State Academic Folk Choir named after M.E. Pyatnitsky, Alexandra Permyakova

    October 18, 2024

    Previous news Next news

    Tatyana Golikova presented the Certificate of Honor of the Government of Russia to the artistic director of the State Academic Folk Choir named after M.E. Pyatnitsky, Alexandra Permyakova

    The Deputy Prime Minister read out a congratulatory message from President Vladimir Putin. The head of state emphasized that Alexandra Andreyevna, being a talented artist, an experienced mentor, teacher and educator, has for many years maintained boundless devotion to the high ideals of serving the arts, making a truly unique contribution to preserving the traditions of folk song.

    Tatyana Golikova also read out a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The head of government noted that thanks to her talent and constant creative search, Alexandra Andreyevna was able to combine singing, music and dance traditions from different parts of Russia with modern trends in the performing arts. The concert programs created by Alexandra Permyakova reveal the beauty and versatility of Russian folklore.

    Presenting the award, Tatyana Golikova said: “Today the country celebrates the anniversary of a unique woman who has been marching with the country for more than 50 years with her creativity. And she is extraordinarily devoted to this country. Devoted to the traditions of the country, to the folk art that this country creates. Thank you very much for giving yourself entirely to this, but at the same time being a very serious and tough leader. By order of the Government of the Russian Federation, for her great contribution to the development and preservation of the best traditions of Russian national choral art, and many years of creative work, Alexandra Andreyevna Permyakova is awarded the Certificate of Honor of the Government of the Russian Federation.”

    The Deputy Prime Minister wished Alexandra Permyakova new creative successes and emphasized that the Pyatnitsky Choir today is our multi-generational history. The life of the entire country is in the collective’s creativity. The Pyatnitsky Choir lives and will live with us forever.

    The choir’s extensive creative repertoire, which includes songs, ditties, dances and spiritual singing, is constantly replenished with new works and demonstrates the richness and diversity of our country’s singing culture. The Pyatnitsky Choir is a one-of-a-kind flagship collective in Russia, which all folk singing ensembles and choirs are guided by.

    The festive concert was attended by the Alexandrov Song and Dance Ensemble of the Russian Army, the Igor Moiseyev Folk Dance Ensemble, the Kuban Cossack Choir, the Russian Song Theatre, the Osipov Folk Instruments Orchestra, the Gzhel Dance Theatre, Askar Abdrazakov, Zara, Denis Maidanov, Shaman, the Folkdeti children’s vocal and choreographic studio, created on the initiative of Alexandra Permyakova in 2015, and other artists.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/nevs/53040/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Sweden and Hungary sign Letter of Intent

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Sweden and Hungary sign Letter of Intent – Government.se

    Please enable javascript in your browser

    Article from Ministry of Defence

    Published

    Minister for Defence Pål Jonson and Hungarian Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky sign Letter of Intent.

    Download:

    Hungarian Minister of Defence Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky and Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. Photo: Niklas Forsström/Government Offices

    On 16 October, Mr Jonson and Mr Szalay-Bobrovniczky signed a Letter of Intent (LOI). This LOI is a bilateral declaration on expanded defence cooperation between Sweden and Hungary.

    This follows from the agreement concluded between Sweden and Hungary on 23 February 2024 in Budapest to sign an LOI on expanded cooperation on defence and JAS Gripen fighter aircraft.

    The LOI specifies that a working group will be appointed with the aim of discussing and identifying opportunities to cooperate on defence materiel. The working group will consist of representatives from the Defence Materiel Administration, Saab AB and the Hungarian Ministry of Defence.

    “I look forward to seeing the working group’s concrete results in the future,” says Mr Jonson. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: TUV seek to raise status of PIRA in Stormont

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston:

    “Today’s statement by the PSNI  broadcast on the Nolan Show that the security service assessment of the role and status of the PIRA and its Army Council hasn’t changed does not come as a surprise to TUV. However, it is worth remembering that the Ministerial Pledge of Office which all members of the Executive are required to take says they “commitment to non-violence and exclusively peaceful and democratic means…, to challenge paramilitary attempts to control communities [and] to support those who are determined to make the transition away from paramilitarism”.

    “It is incompatible with democracy that a party controlled by the PIRA Army Council should be leading the government of Northern Ireland. Those who partner them should be ashamed. I think particularly of the DUP who, in 2007, signed up to Stormont on the basis of the pledge in their manifesto:

    “The DUP holds to its long standing position that there can only be an agreement involving Sinn Fein when there has been delivery by the republican movement, tested and proved over a credible period, in terms of support for the PSNI, the Courts and the rule of law, a complete end to paramilitary and criminal activity and the removal of terrorist structures.”

    “For most of the past 17 years the DUP have, as they do today, partnered Sinn Fein while the IRA Army Council continues to have a key role in the organisation.

    “While others shrug their shoulders and claim there is nothing they can do about it, TUV is determined to make Stormont face up to these issues and hold those who, for the sake of office, choose to ignore the fact that their partners in government continue to be controlled by an illegal terrorist organisation responsible for the best part of 2,000 murders.

    “To that end, I have tabled both an urgent oral question to the Justice Minister and a Matter of the Day for Monday. It is over to the speaker if time will be set aside for these matters. I trust he will regard them as sufficiently serious.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: UNIFIL Peacekeeper’s Testimonial – United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Major Mandy Heeren, Military Gender Advisor with UNIFIL, speaks from the UNIFIL bunker about the recent fighting in southern Lebanon and the ongoing efforts on the ground.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2Zev8jwkkU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: NATO military leadership participates in the 2024 International Week in Kyiv

    Source: NATO

    Jointly organized by the NATO Defense College (NDC) and the National Defence University of Ukraine (NDUU), the conference addressed the Alliance’s role in a new era of collective defence. The Deputy Chair of the NATO Military Committee and the Director of the International Military Staff provided keynote speeches. Discussions also took place on the topics of a changing security environment, partner engagement, resilience building and deterrence and defence ten years from now.

    The Director of the International Military Staff (DGIMS), Lieutenant General Adamczak virtually opened the 2024 International Week alongside Colonel General Koval and Lieutenant General Nielsen, Commandants of the NDUU and the NDC.

    “Today is the 965th day of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. During this time, President Putin launched various devastating attacks over Ukrainian territory. What he didn’t expect was the will and determination of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to protect and defend their country”, Lieutenant General Adamczak stated.

    In his speech, DGIMS outlined what the Alliance is doing to support Ukraine, having mentioned projects such as the Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC), the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) and the Pledge of Long-Term Security Assistance for Ukraine, among others.

    Closing remarks were given by the Deputy Chair of the NATO Military Committee (DCMC), Lieutenant General Andrew Rohling, on the topic of strategic imperatives for NATO post Washington Summit. 

    “In July, Allies restated the commitment to collective security, enshrined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, the condemnation to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the bond to shared values such as individual liberty, human rights, democracy and the rule of law”, Lieutenant General Rohling underscored. “Nations reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the people of Ukraine and stated that a strong, independent, and democratic Ukraine is vital for the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area”.

    During their interventions, DGIMS and DCMC expressed that Ukraine’s path to NATO membership is irreversible. “Ukraine’s future is in NATO. We have witnessed concrete progress at democratic, economic and security aspects. And as Ukraine continues this vital reform work, we will continue to support its path to full NATO membership”, Lieutenant General Adamczak emphasized. 

    “We need to ensure that Ukraine can win this war, by keeping you in the fight, by training your soldiers. We will help you with the capabilities, and with ammunition. But looking into the future of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as NATO and Ukraine are closer than ever, we are increasingly focusing on developing interoperability and standardization aspects for seamless transition in Ukraine’s eventual path to NATO membership”, Lieutenant General Rohling said.

    The International Week contributes to a deeper understanding of NATO’s mission, organization, operations, partnerships, cooperation and future priorities by NDUU students and senior military and civilian officers.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INDIAN NAVY’S FIRST TRAINING SQUADRON DEPARTS MANAMA, BAHRAIN

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 3:56PM by PIB Delhi

    Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) – INS Tir and ICGS Veera completed their long range training deployment to Manama, Bahrain, on 16 Oct 24. During the port call, Capt Anshul Kishore, Senior Officer, 1TS called on Maj Gen Salman Mubarak Al-Doseri, Royal Command Staff and National Defence College and Cmde Ahmed Ebrahim Buhamood, Commander Flotilla and held discussions on regional maritime security challenges and avenues for future collaboration in training and operations. Senior Officer, 1TS along with CO ICGS Veera also called on Cmde Mark Anderson of Royal Navy, Deputy Commander of Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). Interactions at US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) focussed on strengthening maritime cooperation and reinforcing strategic partnership between the Indian Navy and other maritime forces in the region. Further, visits were organised onboard 1TS ships for Bahrain Defence Forces, CMF and Naval personnel from other friendly foreign nations, enabling understanding of common operating procedures paving way for collaborative exercises in the future. A delegation from 1TS including sea trainees visited Naval Support Facility, Bahrain gaining insights into Task Force 59, USNAVCENT and CMF operations.

    In a spirit of camaraderie and goodwill, Naval personnel from USNAVCENT and Indian Navy participated in a friendly football match. In another event, the Indian Navy band delivered a captivating performance at Manama. A community outreach activity was undertaken at ‘Tree of Life Social Charity Society’. Besides this, an official reception was hosted onboard 1TS for the delegates of Embassy of India, Bahrain Defence Forces and other military & civilian dignitaries and members of the Indian diaspora.

    The visit concluded with a MPX between INS Tir, ICGS Veera and RBNS Al Farooq. The successful completion of the visit by ships of 1TS reaffirms strong maritime ties between the two Navies.

    ****

    VM/SKY  

    (Release ID: 2066073) Visitor Counter : 67

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Govt to provide full support to the private sector in taking lead in the field of defence & making India an innovation & technology hub: Raksha Mantri

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Govt to provide full support to the private sector in taking lead in the field of defence & making India an innovation & technology hub: Raksha Mantri

    Shri Rajnath Singh launches ‘Dare to Dream 5.0’ for innovators to come forward with transformative ideas for defence applications

    Deep-Tech challenges unveiled to drive major advancements in areas critical to defence infrastructure

    “Need to achieve advancements in both incremental and disruptive tech through out-of-the-box thinking & latest innovations”

    Cutting-edge indigenous technologies developed under TDF scheme handed over to users

    Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 3:00PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called upon the private sector to move forward from ‘participation’ to ‘taking lead’ in the defence sector, assuring the Government’s full support to make India an innovation & technology hub and one of the strongest countries in the world. He was addressing scientists, industry leaders, academia, start-ups, MSMEs and young entrepreneurs during Twaral, a DRDO-Industry Workshop on Defence Technology Acceleration organised at DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi on October 18, 2024.

    Sharing insights on the transformation of the defence sector in the recent past, Raksha Mantri stated that, today, technology has transformed conventional warfare into unconventional warfare. “New dimensions have been added to modern-day warfare such as drones, cyber warfare, bio-weapons and space defence. In this transformative phase, R&D in defence will definitely make the defence sector stronger. It is heartening to witness our scientists, industrialists, academia, start-ups, MSMEs and young entrepreneurs working together in this endeavour. It is time for the private sector to take lead as it has the ability to absorb rapid changes and create new innovations,” he said.

    Shri Rajnath Singh termed the adoption of unconventional ideas, not yet known to the world, as the only way to progress in unconventional warfare. Acknowledging it as a tough task, he stated that the Government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, will continue providing all necessary support to the youth, scientists, industrialists and MSMEs in this endeavour.

    Raksha Mantri reiterated the Government’s commitment to make the defence sector more innovative and technology-oriented. Highlighting the consistent efforts being made by DRDO to strengthen the R&D environment and promote scientific temperament, he said: “Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme is providing up to 90% of the total project cost as grant support to eligible industries. The total support is up to Rs 50 crore, a good amount for any MSME and start-up to invest in defence R&D. Since its launch six years ago, 79 projects have been sanctioned, of which, technology has successfully been developed in 18 projects.”

    As part of the event, Shri Rajnath Singh launched ‘Dare to Dream 5.0’ to encourage next generation of innovators & start-ups to come forward with transformative ideas for defence applications. The fifth edition of DRDO’s innovation contest aims to generate cutting-edge solutions for India to progress further in its pursuit to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence technologies.

    Raksha Mantri also felicitated the winners of ‘Dare to Dream 4.0’, recognising individual innovators, start-ups and MSMEs for disruptive solutions and innovations in the fields of countermeasures for drones and swarm of drones; advanced acoustic system to locate gunfire, directed energy technologies, cognitive listening device, target seeking & proximity sensing, free-space laser communication system, multi-terrain multi-utility robot among others.

    Shri Rajnath Singh described the challenges as a testament to the commitment of the industrial ecosystem of the country to protect the future of the defence sector. “Like our brave soldiers, scientists, industry leaders, academia, start-ups, MSMEs and entrepreneurs too are the warriors of the country, prepared to complete every assigned task,” he said.

    Raksha Mantri laid emphasis on the need to achieve advancements in both incremental and disruptive technologies within the defence sector. The solutions to challenges obtained through initiatives such as ‘Dare to Dream’ bridge the critical gap between the two types of technologies, he said. He called upon the scientists, start-ups & young entrepreneurs to think out-of-the-box and come out with latest innovations as if it were their habit to accept & overcome challenges.

    Shri Rajnath Singh exhorted the private sector to move in line with the unprecedented speed with which the technological changes are taking place across the globe. He urged them to ensure, through timely assessment, that a technology does not become outdated when it is rolled out. He also called for development of projects, under TDF, based on cutting edge tech, and devising a system of comprehensive scan within the scheme to avoid duplication of technologies.

    Deep-Tech Challenges

                Several challenges on Disruptive, Emerging, Enabling and Pioneering Technologies (Deep-Tech) were also launched to drive major advancements in areas critical to the country’s defence infrastructure. The focus on Deep-Tech emphasises the need for India to develop and harness breakthrough technologies to stay at the forefront of defence innovation. The challenges are:

    • Compact Electromechanical Actuators;
    • Development of indigenous thrusters for Yard Craft (Indian Navy);
    • Development of High Purity Silicon Carbide source powder for the bulk growth of SiC single crystal;
    • Deep-Tech for HPM Counter Measures and Protection;
    • Development of a Digital Twin Framework for Aero Gas Turbine Engine Health & Usage Monitoring.

    Tech handed over to end-users

    Several cutting-edge indigenous technologies developed under the TDF scheme were also handed over to the users, including DRDO and Armed Forces, in the presence of Shri Rajnath Singh. These innovations, created by startups and MSMEs with DRDO, mark a significant step in the country’s journey towards self-reliance, enhancing national security. The technologies are:

    • Autonomous Drone as first responder for search and report mission in enclosed/indoor environment by NewSpace Research and Technology Pvt Ltd.  to CAIR, DRDO.
    • Simulator for Unmanned Ground, Marine (Sea Surface and Underwater) and Aerial Vehicles by Combat Robotics India Pvt Ltd to CAIR, DRDO.
    • Data Assessment Active Learning and Believability for Visual Data to CAIR, DRDO & Aero Gas Turbine Engine Health Monitoring System by Chistats Labs Pvt Ltd to GTRE, DRDO.
    • Design and Development of Water Tight/Gas Tight and Fire Class EMI/EMC compliant doors and hatches for Naval Ships by Valdel Advanced Technologies Pvt Ltd. to Indian Navy.
    • Fuel System Temperature Transducer for Aircraft Application by Tejase Aeroscience Private Ltd Mumbai to ADA.

    Twaral

    The DRDO-Industry Workshop on Defence Technology Acceleration brought together all the stakeholders of the innovation ecosystem to explore strategies for expediting the development of critical defence technologies. The discussions were centered on bridging the gap between research efforts and real-world application, with a strong focus on collaboration across sectors. Setting the foundation for future innovations, the workshop underscored the critical role of DeepTech (R&D) in advancing national security capabilities.

    The Amended Standard Operating Procedures for TDF, aimed at simplifying the process for start-ups and MSMEs to collaborate with DRDO, was also released. These updated procedures are designed to foster a more transparent and streamlined approach for innovators, enabling easier access to opportunities for contributing to national defense projects.

    Two in-depth panel discussions were also held. The first, on Critical and Emerging Tech Collaboration, explored the potential for international R&D partnerships and the sharing of Intellectual Property in military technology. The second discussion addressed the theme of self-reliance in defence technology and manufacturing, focusing on the need for innovation and strong R&D to build a sustainable and robust domestic ecosystem.

    Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat praised the winners of ‘Dare to Dream 4.0’, emphasising the importance of fostering homegrown talent in building a stronger and self-reliant defence sector. The winners’ contributions serve as a testament to India’s burgeoning innovation ecosystem, he said.

    Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen JP Mathew and other senior civil & military officials of Ministry of Defence were present on the occasion.

    ******

    VK/SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2066036) Visitor Counter : 25

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 17/10/2024 Meeting with the South Korean delegation

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Meeting with the South Korean delegation17.10.2024On October 17, 2024, at the Ministry of National Defense, Deputy Minister Paweł Bejda hosted a South Korean delegation led by Deputy Minister of the Defense Procurement Agency (DAPA) Hyunki Cho. The delegation also included South Korean Ambassador Hoonmin Lim and President and CEO of Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) Gooyoung Kang.

    The main topic of the talks was the development of bilateral cooperation in the field of defense. One of the topics was issues related to the cooperation of industries and Polonization. The Korean guests emphasized the potential of Poland, in which they see the location of the FA-50 service center in Europe based on the WZL-2 plants. The possibility of expanding technological and industrial cooperation was also discussed, including the transfer of technology and joint research and development projects. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the cooperation to date and the desire to further develop the partnership, which is of key importance for strengthening the security of both Poland and South Korea.

    Photos (4)

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 18/10/2024 Security of OTAN’s eastern flank is a priority for the Alliance’s countries

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    On Friday, October 18, the Minister of National Defense participated in the second day of the meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. – During the session, we also discussed matters concerning the upcoming events, analyzing the geopolitical situation. There is full unity of the Alliance here. This is my next meeting and I see that this integration of the Alliance, as well as the desire for greater spending, is becoming more and more common. This ambitious plan is not related to 2%, because it is the minimum, but it is to be the starting point. The ambition plan that Poland has set for itself, 4.7% of GDP next year, the highest among all OTAN countries. This commands great respect here and many countries follow Poland. I am not talking only about the countries of NATO’s eastern flank, but also the countries of southern Europe are changing their strategy – informed the Deputy Prime Minister. During the session of the North Atlantic Council on deterrence and defence, the heads of defence ministries summed up the key issues for Poland related to building the capabilities necessary for collective defence in our region, such as: logistics, development of capabilities, air and missile defence and increasing the readiness of forces. – I also spoke in bilateral meetings with the ministers of the Baltic states. We talked about the challenges for the new commissioner for defence. He comes from our region, from the eastern flank of NATO, so here we see a big chance to get a real budget – the vice prime minister emphasized, W. Kosiniak-Kamysz. On the second day of his visit to Brussels, the vice prime minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz held bilateral talks with John Healey, the Secretary of Defense of the United Kingdom, and Pirro Vengu, the Minister of Defense of Albania. – I also met with the Minister of Defense of Italy, Luxembourg, Albania, and I also talked to the Minister of Defense of the United Kingdom. We said goodbye to Secretary Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, because this is the last meeting of the Biden administration at this level. I thanked him on behalf of our country, on behalf of Poland, for his great dedication to the security of the Polish state, for his great commitment – said the head of the Ministry of National Defense. The prime minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz also referred to the letters of intent signed during the first day of the meeting. – The most important agreement concerns the DIAMOND air defense. Para bromear agreement on the initiative of the British, but it includes Germans, French and Italians. Para bromear a serious agreement on the exchange of experience related to air defence. Para bromear key for Europe – air defence is simply the most important thing. (…) The second agreement concerned the French initiative – acquiring and supplementing long-range capabilities. Many countries have joined this initiative, we are talking about this in the Weimar Triangle. We have already concluded and signed this declaration in Washington, now we are simply implementing it by inviting other countries. The third issue concerned issues in the field of cybersecurity, the exchange of skills in this area – noted the head of the Ministry of National Defence. As the head of the Ministry of National Defence informed after the Council meeting, the Education and Training Analysis Centre OTAN-Ukraine will be headed by a Polish general. – An important thing regarding the NATO Education and Training Analysis Centre-Ukraine in Bydgoszcz. The head of this centre will be the very experienced General Ozga, who spent many years here in NATO. In the alliance, he will head the Education and Training Analysis Center OTAN-Ucrania, which was located in Bydgoszcz in February this year, and the declaration from the Washington summit confirmed this. We want to achieve initial operational capabilities in January 2025, and develop them to full capabilities over the next year. I called on all our allies to participate. It is good that a Pole will be at the head of this unit – emphasized the Deputy Prime Minister. Deputy Prime Minister W. Kosiniak-Kamysz informed that according to the CBOS survey, the Polish Army enjoys the highest level of public trust in history. – Finally, good news from Poland. The Polish Army enjoys the highest recognition in CBOS research. Never before has there been such a level, as much as 83% of trust in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, in the history of research on support for various professional groups, various environments. The army during the time when I have the honor of being the Minister of National Defense, has reached this level of the highest Historical trust, for which I am very grateful, because only thanks to our citizens, thanks to our taxpayers, are we able to carry out the great transformation of the Polish army. Build its strength and resilience – informed the head of the Ministry of National Defense.

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Switzerland signs declaration of accession to the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI)

    Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

    Bern, 18.10.2024 – After the member states of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) agreed to Switzerland’s application for admission, Chief of Armament Urs Loher signed the MoU and the unilateral declaration of accession by Switzerland on 17 October 2024. Switzerland will thus become the 15th member of the ESSI.

    On 10 April 2024, the Federal Council agreed to accession to the ESSI and authorised the DDPS to sign the ESSI Cooperative Procurement Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as well as the additional unilateral declaration of accession by Switzerland. After the Foreign Policy and the Security Policy Committees also agreed to the matter, the DDPS initiated the accession process on 8 July 2024 with the signing of the application for membership by Chief of Armament Urs Loher. The member states of the ESSI agreed unconditionally to Switzerland’s accession in a subsequent consultation. Chief of Armament Urs Loher thereupon signed the MoU and the additional unilateral declaration of accession by Switzerland on 17 October 2024.

    MoU as the basis for programme agreements

    With its participation in the ESSI, Switzerland is increasing international opportunities for cooperation: ESSI enables better coordination of procurement projects, training and logistical aspects in the area of ground-based air defence (GBAD). The general provisions are defined in the MoU, according to which the member states carry out the projects and programmes for the cooperative procurement of GBAD systems as part of the ESSI and can exchange ideas on the opportunities in other areas of cooperation. As a participant state of the ESSI, Switzerland can now conclude separate programme agreements for individual projects and programmes as part of the MoU. The initial focus is on medium-range ground-based air defence. Attractive opportunities for cooperation will be available in the future in the areas of shorter-range and longer-range air defence.

    ESSI is compatible with Swiss neutrality

    Signing the declaration of accession to the MoU does not lead to any obligations. Even after signing, Switzerland will decide freely where and to what extent it will participate in the ESSI and which ground-based systems it will procure. As previously, when signing the Memorandum of Understanding in July 2023, in which Switzerland and Austria presented their reservations under neutrality law in an additional declaration, Switzerland also additionally set out its reservations under neutrality law in a public unilateral declaration of accession regarding the signing of the MoU. This refers in particular to the suspension clause of the MoU which enables Switzerland to withdraw from the cooperation due to its neutrality, should a member of the initiative become party to an international armed conflict.

    Address for enquiries

    Kaj-Gunnar Sievert
    Head of Communications armasuisse
    +41 58 464 62 47

    Publisher

    Armasuisse
    http://www.ar.admin.ch/

    General Secretariat DDPS
    https://www.vbs.admin.ch/

    Defence
    http://www.vtg.admin.ch

    State Secretariat for Security Policy
    https://www.sepos.admin.ch/de

    MIL OSI Europe News –