Ten days after the attacks on Tehran and Beirut killed key leaders, neither Iran nor Hezbollah has retaliated, despite vows of revenge. I would suggest that Iran is carefully weighing its response to avoid triggering a larger conflict. The delay may be part of psychological warfare, keeping Israel on edge while Iran considers the geopolitical consequences. The fear of provoking a devastating Israeli counterattack and concerns over security breaches are also likely factors in the delayed response.

Frontline

I offer the attached item on the little-known capture of about 180 ARVN recruits from the Van Kiep Training Centre by elements of the 274^th VC Regiment at a ARVN training camp north-west of Baria Town on 9 December 1966. Vietnam veterans who served in Phuoc Tuy would probably find it interesting.

Regards, Ernie Chamberlain

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VC capture 184 Van Kiep ARVN outside Baria FRONTLINE

This video is part of an educational series to teach people about the lives of our service members in times of war. This film was created by the department of the Army to highlight the roll of the field artillery in Vietnam.

US Navy News – Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephen D. Doyle II

The USS Abraham Lincoln strike group, initially scheduled for deployment, has been redirected to the Middle East to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt strike group. The Lincoln, currently docked in Guam for a port visit, is expected to arrive in the region soon, although the exact timeline remains unclear. While this deployment doesn’t extend the sailors’ time away from their families, it does place them at the centre of escalating tensions, as violence in Gaza and Israel spreads to neighbouring areas.

Additionally, two of the five destroyers accompanying the USS Theodore Roosevelt—the USS Laboon and USS Cole—have been ordered to move towards the Red Sea and Israel. This group is currently operating near Iran in the Gulf of Oman, according to Navy sources.

The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), consisting of the USS Wasp, USS Oak Hill, USS New York, and the destroyers USS Roosevelt and USS Bulkeley, has also been stationed in the eastern Mediterranean since before this recent announcement.

Tensions have been high in the region since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in over a thousand Israeli deaths and hundreds of hostages. Cease-fire negotiations and hostage release discussions had been making progress, but recent escalations, including an Israeli airstrike in Beirut and the assassination of a Hamas leader in Tehran, have reignited hostilities. In response, Iran and its allies held a meeting last week to discuss possible retaliation.

The U.S. State Department issued a “do not travel” advisory for Lebanon, citing the increasing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. The U.K. government has also urged its citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial flights are still available.

The Wasp ARG, which includes approximately 2,200 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit based at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, has been tasked with preventing the conflict between Hamas and Israel from escalating into a broader regional war, according to a Marine Corps spokesperson.

Toronto Star – Gleb Tsipursky

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles expressed his support for Blair, highlighting the ongoing cooperation between Canada and Australia aimed at deterring hostile actors. He emphasized that avoiding conflict remains a top priority as both nations work together to address threats in the Indo-Pacific and other regions. Marles, who also serves as Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, was in Vancouver for a bilateral meeting with Blair.

During the meeting, the two countries discussed enhancing their strategic partnership, focusing on key areas such as increased military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, commitment to regional stability, investment in defence capabilities, and addressing cyber and space threats.

Blair underscored the significance of the Indo-Pacific’s security, noting, “Canada and Australia are both Pacific nations, and the security of the Indo-Pacific is crucial for the security of both our nations. Today, that security is being challenged in significant and difficult ways.” He also criticized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for orchestrating the most ambitious military buildup since World War II, aiming to reshape the international system to serve its own interests.

These remarks followed recent pledges by Australian and U.S. officials to increase military rotations in the region in response to the CCP’s “destabilizing actions.” Both ministers stressed the importance of the Five Eyes partnership, which includes Canada, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, as a cornerstone of their enhanced cooperation.

As nations deeply invested in the Indo-Pacific, Canada and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region. They discussed the need for responsible management of strategic competition and efforts to reduce the risk of conflict in the area.

The Canadian minister highlighted the country’s significant increase in naval deployments and defence engagement in the Indo-Pacific, creating more opportunities for joint training and multilateral exercises with Australia. The ministers also expressed concern over Beijing’s expansive maritime claims, which they deemed inconsistent with international law, and condemned the regime’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

The discussion also touched on the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, with both ministers opposing any unilateral changes to the status quo. They called for peaceful dialogue to resolve differences and rejected the use of force or coercion.

Additionally, the ministers condemned North Korea’s destabilizing missile launches and its pursuit of nuclear weapons, which violate multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Canada and Australia are making significant investments in their national defence strategies, focusing on strengthening their defence capabilities. The ministers explored opportunities for mutual learning and training to enhance the interoperability of their military forces, particularly on shared platforms.

The statement also noted Canada’s interest in collaborating on advanced capability projects under AUKUS Pillar II, the non-nuclear component of the AUKUS trilateral security pact, which includes technology sharing.

The Boeing F-15A Eagle, first flown in July 1972, was a premier air superiority fighter, unmatched by the Soviet Union. Over time, it evolved into the F-15E Strike Eagle, a multirole fighter that remains in U.S. Air Force service. However, the most advanced version of this jet, the F-15SA, has been ordered by Saudi Arabia, raising questions about its competitiveness against the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

In 2011, Saudi Arabia signed a $29.5 billion contract for 84 new F-15SAs and 70 upgrade kits, marking the largest foreign military sale in U.S. history. The F-15SA includes significant upgrades, such as a fly-by-wire flight control system and advanced APG-63 v.3 AESA radar. The aircraft is also equipped with BAE’s Digital Electronic Warfare System (DEWS), similar in capability to systems in the F-22 and F-35.

The F-15SA’s enhanced systems, including infrared search and track and large-format colour displays, make it a highly capable fighter. However, with the F-35’s stealth capabilities and strong U.S. government backing, it may dominate the fighter market in the long term. While the F-15SA is formidable, its success may be limited to specific regions like the Middle East or Asia, where the F-35 may not be available in the near term. Ultimately, fighter purchases are influenced more by geopolitics than by performance alone.

Australia’s Defence Minister, Richard Marles, faces the challenge of developing a large dry dock and other maintenance facilities to support an expanding naval fleet, including Virginia-class and SSN AUKUS submarines. The project, potentially spanning a decade, raises significant uncertainties regarding its start date, location, and cost.

While HMAS Stirling near Perth currently hosts conventional Collins-class submarines, the plan is to eventually handle new SSNs at Henderson, where new frigates and amphibious landing craft are being built. The need for facilities capable of servicing nuclear-powered subs, which require more security than conventional vessels, adds complexity.

Marles emphasized the importance of assessing Henderson’s requirements, a process complicated by the need for both commercial and physical consolidation. A source indicated that Australia might need two dry docks for nuclear maintenance and a floating dry dock for lower-level work. The broader issue includes accommodating the surface fleet at Henderson.

Marcus Hellyer, an acquisition expert, highlighted the unprecedented complexity of coordinating decisions across various fleets and maintenance types. Australia has committed significant funds to support submarine construction and maintenance, but challenges remain in building dry docks, housing, and secure facilities to protect nuclear secrets.

Despite positive government rhetoric, Hellyer stresses the seriousness of these challenges, citing competition for limited resources and industrial capacity as significant obstacles.

Ukrainian army brigades invaded onto Russian soil into Kursk Oblast for the first time in history. They quickly started fighting in 11 separate villages in an incursion. Stryker Armored vehicles were deployed. Early reports indicate this was a force of at least 1,000 soldiers; more than 11 main battle tanks and 20 armored combat vehicles. We will also examine the offensive campaign into the Donbas region. The electrical power attacks. The mobilization and conscription as well. They pushed up the R200 highway connecting Ukraine to Kursk Oblast in Russia. They’ve advanced at least 10km although unconfirmed reports claim as far as 30km as of Thursday August 8th.

ED: From my inbox by MAJ Dennis Fox (Rtd) and Frontline members.

The effective projection of air power in maritime approaches requires a blend of robust defence and integrated multi-domain offensive strategies. This approach, in conjunction with allies, forms the core of a strategy designed to ensure security in key maritime areas.

Contemporary defence thinking emphasizes that modern strategies cannot focus solely on long-term military investments. The evolving global landscape, characterized by multipolarity and diminishing American influence, demands immediate and comprehensive action. This includes not just traditional military measures but also engaging society and leveraging all aspects of national power.

One perspective highlights the importance of understanding grey zone conflicts and their connection to information warfare. Current global conflicts, such as those in Taiwan and Ukraine, are seen as precursors to broader competition in this new era. These conflicts underscore the need for adaptable strategies that address both conventional and unconventional threats.

The strategic alliance AUKUS is viewed not as an end but as a means to address specific challenges. However, there are concerns about resource allocation within the defence sector, particularly in the context of current and near-term readiness.

The rapid development of autonomous systems, although promising, also presents challenges. Integrating new technologies into existing military structures requires overcoming cultural and organizational inertia. The arrival of advanced systems, such as remotely piloted aircraft, offers significant opportunities for enhancing capabilities, particularly in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

A comprehensive national defence strategy must involve broader societal engagement. It is not just about the military but about integrating the entire society and economy into the national defence effort. Addressing critical vulnerabilities in areas like cyber and space is essential to safeguarding maritime interests and ensuring long-term security.

Finally, the focus on regional security and the re-orientation of defence forces towards likely conflict scenarios is crucial. This strategic shift aims to create a secure environment around Australia, deeply integrated with allied power projection, to manage major power competition effectively in the Indo-Pacific.

In summary, the future of national defence lies in a multi-faceted approach that blends military capability with societal involvement, technological innovation, and a clear strategic focus on regional security.

This is a summary of an interview with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles following his visit to Washington for the 34th Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN). The key topics discussed include:

1. Virginia-Class Submarines: Marles acknowledges challenges in the production rate of these submarines, crucial for both US and Australian needs. Australia is contributing to the US defence industrial base to address these challenges, aiming to avoid a capability gap by securing submarines in the early 2030s.
2. AUKUS Pillar II: This focuses on advanced technology collaboration among Australia, the UK, and the US. Marles emphasizes the need to establish a solid framework among the three nations before expanding cooperation to other countries like Japan, Canada, and South Korea.
3. US Export Controls: Marles expresses confidence that Australia will meet US standards to ease export controls, despite some delays.
4. Australian Defence Industry Concerns: Marles reassures that AUKUS will create significant opportunities for local defence firms, despite initial concerns about job losses.
5. China Relations: Marles discusses incidents with China, stressing Australia’s commitment to maintaining a rules-based order in the region and the importance of defence dialogue with China to avoid miscalculations.

Overall, Marles conveys confidence in Australia’s defence strategy and cooperation with the US, while acknowledging challenges that need to be addressed.