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B-2 Spirit stealth bombers, part of the U.S. Air Force’s 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, have successfully concluded their mission under the Bomber Task Force (BTF) initiative at RAAF Base Amberley. This deployment, conducted throughout August and September, was part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation Program aimed at strengthening U.S.-Australian military ties and supporting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

During the deployment, the B-2 bombers integrated with Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) air assets to enhance interoperability and demonstrate the collective readiness of allied forces. The stealth characteristics of the B-2 enable it to penetrate advanced air defences and operate over vast distances. Its unfuelled range of 9,600 kilometres is extended globally through air-to-air refuelling.

Key missions involved collaboration with RAAF aircraft, including F/A-18F Super Hornets, F-35A Lightning IIs, KC-30A Tankers, and E-7A Wedgetails. Training operations spanned Australia and the broader Indo-Pacific, featuring agile refuelling operations such as “hot pitting” on Diego Garcia.

Group Captain Paul Jarvis, Officer Commanding No. 82 Wing, underscored the importance of these exercises in refining tactics and enhancing cooperation. “This training is essential for ironing out details in peacetime and ensuring operational readiness,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Justin Meyer of the 110th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron praised the strong ties between the U.S. and Australia. “Our mission demonstrated the strength and interoperability of our forces,” he said, expressing gratitude for the hospitality provided by the RAAF and local community.

Support for the deployment was provided by RAAF’s No. 23 Squadron, with Wing Commander Tanya Evans emphasizing the vital role of base services in ensuring mission success.

The National Interest – by Stavros Atlamazoglou

Summary and What You Need to Know: The U.S. military has one of the world’s largest and most advanced tank fleets, operating approximately 4,650 M1 Abrams main battle tanks, half of which are in reserve.

The Army uses the M1A1 SA, M1A2 SEPv2, and the latest M1A2 SEPv3, introduced in 2020, featuring enhanced network capabilities, explosive reactive armour (ERA), improved ammunition data links, and reduced maintenance needs.

Plans are underway for an M1A3 model, driven by lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict, where tanks have been vital in both offense and defence.

Why the U.S. Army Operates Nearly 5,000 M1 Abrams Tanks

In a recent series of articles, we have talked about Greece’s surprisingly large tank fleet, Turkey’s reasons for operating over 2,000 tanks, and India’s tank fleet, which is one of the largest in the world.

Today, we will be talking about why the U.S. military has one of the largest and the most capable main battle tank arsenals in the world.

Armoured Cavalry

The U.S. military fields approximately 4,650 main battle tanks, about half of which are in reserve. Unlike the other countries we have explored in our series, the U.S. Army operates one type of tank: the M1 Abrams.

Currently, the Army operates the M1A1 SA, the M1A2 SEPv2, and the M1A2 SEPv3 versions of the main battle tank. The latter is the newest version of the tank and the most advanced tank in the world. It was introduced in 2020.

The latest version of the venerable M1 Abrams sports upgraded network capabilities, additional protection through additional explosive reactive armour (ERA) mountings, an improved ammunition data link that allows the tank to fire the most advanced munitions available, extra electrical power from an auxiliary power unit, and a reduced maintenance requirement.

Although a new System Enhancement Package (SEP) upgrade was in the works (it would be SEPv4), the Pentagon recently decided to completely overhaul the Army’s M1 Abrams fleet and introduce a new version of the tank, the M1A3. The decision was mainly motivated by the lessons learned from the fighting in Ukraine, where main battle tanks play an important role in both offensive and defensive operations.

The U.S. military has thousands of supporting armoured vehicles, such as the venerable M2 Bradley and the new M10 Booker that are designed to fight alongside main battle tanks and achieve superiority on the battlefield.

Tanks that are in reserve can become operational if needed after various degrees of maintenance.

Although the Army is the only service that operates main battle tanks, that wasn’t always the case.

The Case of the Marine Corps

Interestingly, the U.S. Marine Corps also operated main battle tanks until recently. In 2020, the Marine Corps officially deactivated its armour battalions. They transferred their approximately 450 M1 Abrams main battle tanks to the Army, some of which ended up in the service of the Ukrainian military.

The decision was highly controversial, drawing the ire of many current and former Marine Corps officers. The main reason for the opposition was that the Marine Corps now depended on the Army for armour in the event of a conflict, thus losing some of its independence.

The counterargument that influenced the decision was that the Marine Corps should return to its expeditionary role and be as light as possible, unencumbered by the logistical concerns of supporting a tank field larger than that of the entire British military.

Both arguments have merit. The Army, of course, is glad to be the only service to operate tanks.

The Times and Sunday Times – London

Hezbollah has suffered a significant setback after two waves of explosions, suspected to be part of a sophisticated Israeli attack, hit personal communication devices used by the group. According to experts, the group will likely need time to recover and respond.

On Tuesday, pagers carried by Hezbollah members suddenly exploded, killing several people and wounding many others. Another wave of explosions reportedly targeted walkie-talkies today. Though Israel has not claimed responsibility, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant hinted at a “new phase” of conflict.

General Maroun Hitti, a retired Lebanese officer, estimated that Hezbollah would need at least a month to regroup, making any retaliation unlikely in the near term. Analyst David Des Roches suggested that beyond immediate casualties, Hezbollah’s trust in its communication systems has been compromised. He expects the group’s response to resemble previous retaliations, involving rocket attacks toward Israel, though their ability to conduct coordinated operations is now hindered.

Retired General Wehbe Katicha echoed these views, noting that Hezbollah would likely launch a barrage of fire but is currently incapable of sustaining a large-scale military operation without risking further Israeli retaliation.

Some analysts, like Andreas Krieg of King’s College London, speculated that Hezbollah could retaliate outside the Middle East through covert operations, rather than engaging directly with Israel’s heavily guarded southern border. For now, Hezbollah is conducting an internal investigation into the explosions while its leader, Hasan Nasrallah, has vowed punishment for the attack but refrained from calling for immediate mass mobilization.

MEMBERS UPDATE

Dear members,

You are no doubt aware there are a few matters that are top of mind in the veteran community: the recent delivery of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s final report and the revoking of medals awarded to Australian officers. I wanted to take a moment to address both matters.

As you engage with this Member Update, I strongly encourage and recommend those who may require assistance or support to please reach out to Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling on 1800 011 046 or Lifeline crisis support on 13 11 14.

ROYAL COMMISSION INTO DEFENCE AND VETERAN SUICIDE – OUR RESPONSE

This Royal Commission has provided a significant opportunity for veterans and their families to share their experiences and be heard.

On 9 September 2024, the final report was made public and is now available online along with high-level summaries provided by the Royal Commission.

The Australian Government is currently preparing its response to the report which has been presented in seven volumes with 122 recommendations focused on reducing Defence and veteran suicide.

As we await the government’s response, RSL Queensland has undertaken a detailed analysis of the final report and considered those recommendations we believe are of particular interest to the League, veterans and their families.

To read our analysis of the final report, click here.

The findings of the Royal Commission’s report are sobering and highlight the profound impact suicide has had, and continues to have, on our Defence and veteran community. While alarming, I believe the final report has provided some recommendations that, if they are implemented, will improve the transition experience and in turn reduce the rate of suicide in the veteran community.

In the coming weeks, RSL Queensland will work with our State counterparts, our National Office and stakeholders to refine our position on the recommendations we’ve identified in our analysis as important to our community. I will share another update with you in due course.

REVOKING OF MEDALS – AFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN

Last week, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced he will be revoking medals awarded to some Australian commanders who served in the Afghanistan campaign.

RSL Queensland firmly echoes RSL Australia’s clear position that no medals should be taken away from recipients until all investigations and potential trials have been completed.

And the timing of the announcement, a few days after the Royal Commission’s report was released was poor, very poor.

This process has had a considerable and deleterious impact on veterans and their families and it has been going on for too long. RSL Queensland would like to see the findings wrapped up soon.

Sincerely,

Stephen Day DSC AM

State President RSL Queensland

Click Link to view news item

https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=551458953904517

The MG3 is one of the most successful machine guns in the world today and remains in production and widespread service more than 61 years after it was first adopted. It is an early Cold War era machine gun of German origin and a designation for various machine guns developed when Germany entered NATO. It is well known for its high rate of fire. The MG3 or (Machinengewehr Modell 3) was introduced into service in 1968 under the Rheinmetall brand label and continues in widespread use today. These are basically a conversion of the MG42 machine gun which was widely used by Na – zi Germany during World War 2. Besides the Belgian MAG, the MG3 was the most common type of Western machine gun during the Cold War. The weapon was developed as a multi-role General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), this classification denoting a specialized group of a machine gun in military service.

A report recommending a significant overhaul of Australia’s military justice system surfaced on Tuesday when Greens senator David Shoebridge discovered it among the exhibits of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans’ Suicide. Alongside independent senator Jacqui Lambie, Shoebridge attempted to table the report in the Senate, but the government blocked the move, raising concerns about transparency.

The report, produced by the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF), contains 51 recommendations, including the re-establishment of the IGADF under new legislation, the creation of an independent director of military prosecutions, and expanding whistleblower protections. It also calls for stronger guidance to military commanders to prevent the concealment of justice issues and suggests a statutory overhaul to restore trust among defence personnel.

Lambie, a longtime advocate for military justice reform, condemned the government’s handling of the report, accusing them of perpetuating a cover-up. “You say you want to reduce veterans’ suicide, but you are part of the problem,” Lambie said in the Senate, expressing her frustration with the government’s response.

The report was originally published on the Royal Commission’s website but was later removed after the government claimed it was posted “in error.” Labor frontbencher Malarndirri McCarthy confirmed its removal but acknowledged the report was now public after being tabled in the Senate. This explanation was called into question, with the Royal Commission secretariat later stating that Commonwealth lawyers were informed well in advance of the report’s tendering into evidence.

Shoebridge accused the government of attempting to keep the report hidden, criticizing their “addiction to secrecy.” Opposition Senate leader Simon Birmingham echoed these concerns, demanding answers about the report’s mishandling.

The defence minister’s office offered little clarification, stating that the review is part of a broader effort to consider reforms recommended by the Royal Commission. While the government has committed to implementing many of the Royal Commission’s recommendations, the incident has amplified calls for immediate action to reform the military justice system and improve accountability within the Australian Defence Force.

Der Beobachter an der Weichsel

In a continued effort to neutralize the threat posed by Hezbollah, Israel launched a second wave of attacks targeting Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon. After a series of pager explosions that rattled the terrorist group on Tuesday, Israel reportedly upped the ante by remotely detonating their walkie-talkies on Wednesday.

Reports indicate that at least 20 Hezbollah operatives were killed, and more than 450 people were injured during the coordinated attacks. The wave of walkie-talkie explosions follows the previous day’s operation, where Israel successfully detonated the terrorists’ pagers, causing significant losses.

In an unexpected twist, there have also been unverified reports of solar panels in the region exploding, adding to the chaos.

The attacks over the past two days have inflicted heavy casualties on Hezbollah and those in the immediate vicinity. Tuesday’s operation, involving the pager explosions, left 12 Hezbollah members dead and over 2,800 people injured. The follow-up strike on Wednesday claimed the lives of an additional 20 operatives and left 450 others wounded, though the numbers could change as further assessments are made.

The Lebanese government has condemned Israel’s actions, accusing it of violating Lebanon’s sovereignty and escalating the conflict. Officials are in the process of assessing the extensive damage caused by the attacks and providing aid to those affected. As tensions mount, the international community watches closely, anticipating potential further escalations between Israel and Hezbollah.

Israel’s actions, while controversial, demonstrate its commitment to dismantling Hezbollah’s capabilities. The organization, backed by Iran, poses an ongoing threat to Israel’s security, frequently engaging in cross-border attacks and stockpiling weapons. By targeting Hezbollah operatives directly, Israel is sending a clear message that it will act decisively to protect its citizens and prevent Hezbollah from gaining ground.

These strikes also showcase the precision and sophistication of Israel’s intelligence and military capabilities. Being able to remotely detonate the pagers and walkie-talkies of Hezbollah operatives suggests deep infiltration and an advanced understanding of the terrorist group’s operations.

While these events mark another chapter in the ongoing conflict, Israel’s decisive actions underscore its resolve in confronting Hezbollah’s threat at its core. The situation remains tense, with further retaliatory actions possible. However, for now, Hezbollah’s operatives must contend with the reality that Israel’s reach is far and wide, even when it comes to the very tools they rely on for communication.

In the face of these complex geopolitical dynamics, Israel’s priority remains the safety and security of its people. The latest attacks are a reminder of the lengths to which the nation will go to neutralize threats that compromise its sovereignty.

The Krakow Post – Poland

A large-scale Ukrainian drone attack on a major Russian military arsenal in the Tver region has caused a devastating explosion, forcing widespread evacuations. The explosion, which many initially feared was a nuclear blast, created a powerful shockwave detected by earthquake monitors and intense heat sources picked up by NASA satellites.

The strike, part of Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to disrupt Russian military operations, targeted one of the largest arsenals in Tver. The sheer force of the blast, equivalent to the detonation of 200-240 tons of high explosives, sent shockwaves across the region, leaving residents and observers stunned.

“I honestly thought it was a nuke when I first saw it,” one witness remarked on social media, reflecting the magnitude of the explosion.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the success of the operation, highlighting its precision and strategic significance. In a public statement, he credited Ukraine’s intelligence services and Special Operations Forces for their role in executing the attack.

“The weakening of our enemy is vital for the defence of our nation,” Zelensky emphasized. He also thanked the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), and Special Operations Forces for their coordinated efforts.

The Russian government, while confirming the attack and the subsequent explosion, has downplayed reports of mass casualties. The governor of Tver confirmed evacuations from nearby villages and towns but reassured the public that no fatalities had been reported. However, many Russian citizens expressed anger and frustration, questioning the security measures in place at the arsenal.

Social media was flooded with messages of concern and offers of support for those displaced by the explosion. As images and videos of the aftermath circulated, a wave of solidarity emerged across Russia, with many calling for increased defences and retaliatory measures against Ukraine.

The attack marks one of the most significant strikes on Russian soil since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine escalated, raising tensions and concerns over the security of critical military infrastructure within Russia.

ED: One from my inbox … thanks Paul

One day a farmer’s donkey fell into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.

He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement he quieted down.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer’s neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up.

Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

Free your heart from hatred – Forgive.

Free your mind from worries – Most never happen.

Live simply and appreciate what you have.

Give more.

Expect less

NOW …………

Enough of that crap … The donkey later came back and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.

MORAL FROM TODAY’S LESSON:

When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.