Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 28 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

AE07FA 97-0048 RHINO50 2012-09-28 21:45:43 C-17A United States AFRC | 445AW | 89AS [KFFO]   
ADFEE1 87-0161 PAT0161 2012-09-28 21:29:31 C-12U United States AL ARNG | OSACOM DET-5   
478117 955 ---  2012-09-28 21:09:43 C-130H Norway 335skv   
AE1199 03-3116 RCH192 2012-09-28 20:40:29 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]   
AA90A0 N780BA GTI TI44 2012-09-28 20:31:07 B-747-409 United States Evergreen International 2111  37000  
AA90A0 N780BA GTI4431 2012-09-28 20:31:07 B-747-409 United States Evergreen International 2111  37000  
AA90A0 N780BA GTI4TI44 2012-09-28 20:31:07 B-747-409 United States Evergreen International 2111  37000  
478117 955 ---  2012-09-28 20:03:33 C-130H Norway 335skv   
33FFEB MM62185 ---  2012-09-28 19:46:11 C-130J Italy AMI | 46 BA 2624  27000  
AE04F9 99-0404 ---  2012-09-28 19:44:54 C-37A United States USAF | 89AW | 99AS [KADW]   
AE0587 87-0042 ---  2012-09-28 18:59:56 C-5B United States USAF | 60AMW [KSUU]   
A067C0 N125RD ---  2012-09-28 18:42:27 Boeing 763-383ER United States Ryan Intl Airlines   
AE0811 00-0175 BOE75 2012-09-28 18:09:05 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]   
A9A74E N721AL ---  2012-09-28 18:03:01 DHC-8-402 United States US DOJ | FBI HQ [KHEF]   
AD4036 N953EF HOUND91 2012-09-28 17:47:25 D328 United States USAF | 27SOW | 524SOS [KCVS] 5637  30025  
ADFEE1 87-0161 PAT0161 2012-09-28 17:35:25 C-12U United States AL ARNG | OSACOM DET-5  
AE04B2 57-1453 DIXIE53 2012-09-28 15:50:58 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM] 7201  0  
AE0489 63-8007 DIXIE52 2012-09-28 15:50:56 KC-135R United States AL ANG | 117ARW | 106ARS [KBHM] 7200  0  
AE0686 60-0328 DIXIE51 2012-09-28 15:49:45 KC-135R United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB] 7206  0  
AE1492 96-0042 ??? PEACH92 2012-09-28 14:50:32 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB] 1135  0  
AE10D2 165516 ---  2012-09-28 14:39:05 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]   
AE1492 96-0042 ??? PEACH92 2012-09-28 13:27:37 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB] 1135  0  
AE055B 84-0060 RCH340 2012-09-28 11:43:27 C-5B United States USAF | 60AMW | 21AS [KSUU] 0556  34000  
AE1242 04-4137 RCH785 2012-09-28 06:43:52 C-17A United States USAF | 305AMW | 6AS [KWRI] 1544  37000  
AE138C 04-3144 GLEAN37 2012-09-28 04:57:30 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW | 48AS [KLRF]   
AE138C 04-3144 GLEAN37 2012-09-28 04:35:01 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW | 48AS [KLRF]   
AE087E 01-0028 SPAR35 2012-09-28 02:58:47 C-37A United States USAF | 6AMW | 310AS [KMCF] ---  41000  
AD9E3D N977GA QHGF9623 2012-09-28 02:19:27 GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE G-V United States US DOJ | FBI HQ [KHEF] 1670  40925  
AE0189 84-0095 SPAR868 2012-09-28 01:06:02 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]   

JFHQ-NCR will conduct exercise Capital Shield 2013 (CS13) in October

JFHQ-NCR will conduct exercise Capital Shield 2013 (CS13), from 9-12 OCT 2012 to validate JFHQ-NCR OPLAN 3600 (Emergency Preparedness in the NCR) and consequence management plans in support of 2013 Presidential Inauguration.

Purpose

Validate JFHQ-NCR/MDW, Service Components, National Guard, JTF CAPMED, and Interagency Partners consequence management for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration through a FTX and CPX focusing on Presidential Inauguration, and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) scenarios.

Objectives
Validate consequence management plans to support 2013 Presidential Inauguration. Validate updated OPLAN 3600 Emergency Preparedness in the NCR. Execute Incident Command System (ICS). Execute interagency interoperability, coordination, and situational awareness within the NCR.

End State
JFHQ-NCR/MDW is prepared to conduct consequence management for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) for other possible contingency operations.

Source: http://www.mdw.army.mil/capitalshield/schedule.htm

The Players:

Russian Air Force to take part in USAF training exercises (Red Flag 13-1)

Russian SU30 Aircraft will participate in Red Flag Ops next month at Nellis AFB, NV

by Ilya Kramnik (Voice of Russia)

Moscow - Despite a cooling off in relations between Russia and NATO countries, neither party has refused taking part in joint military programs. One such program is the regular aerial combat training exercise of the US Air Force and its allies, called "Red Flag". The next exercise is scheduled for October 2012.

US Military command came up with the idea of conducting Red Flag exercises during the Vietnam War, when the USAF and naval aviation primarily used heavy multi-functional bombers such as the F-4 Phantom-II and F-105 Thunderchief.

These bombers demonstrated their inability to engage in close combat with Vietnam's light MIG aircraft. The reason for such failings was the strong reliance placed on powerful radars and medium-range missiles on the new American fighters. However, in practice the engagements very often did not go the way the pre-war theoretical schemes designed them to and the ratio of losses did not benefit the American side.

The situation had to be corrected - especially since at the same time in the other part of Asia above the sands of Levant, pilots of the Israeli Air Force on French and American aircraft showed wonderful results in aerial combat missions against Arabs who had far more powerful aircraft compared to Vietnam and who had gone through the same Soviet school.

The US Air Force then ordered a study known as Project Red Baron II, which showed that a pilot's chances of survival in combat dramatically increased after he had completed 10 combat missions. As a result, Red Flag, since starting in 1976, had the goal of offering every pilot and weapon systems officer (WSO) the opportunity to fly 10 realistically simulated combat missions in a safe training environment to give them more experience in real combat situations.

Today the Red Flag exercise is an advanced aerial combat exercise conducted in several cycles during the year. Besides Red Flag and Red Flag-Alaska, which mainly focus on fighter aerial combat, there are other cycles as well. For instance, the Joint Expeditionary Force Experiment (JEFX) - a large scale exercise for the headquarters of the US Air Force and its allies.

There is also Jaded Thunder, which is a series of combat training exercises in the course of which pilots from the US Air Force, Naval, and Marine aviation learn to detect and identify ground targets, including those camouflaged as civilians or civilian objects in a congested urban area.

Finally, there is MAFEX - Mobility Air Forces Exercises. These involve training transport aviation, where pilots learn how to interact using various communications and target detection devices as well as in the situation of a radio-electronic war.

In spring of 2012 it became known that the Russian Air Force is to participate in the Red Flag training exercise in the fall of 2012 together with Americans. From 8 until 19 of October, Red Flag Air Combat Exercise 13-1 will be held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada (the exercises are numbered in accordance with the fiscal years, and exercise in the fall will be number one in the 2013 fiscal year).

Like India, who participated in the Red Flag several years earlier using its Russian-made SU-30 MKI, Russia will get a chance this year to test its aircraft in realistic combat maneuvers with USAF aircraft.

This chance is very important, since up until now the only Russian aircraft of the fourth generation which fought in a real combat situation against western aircraft has been the MIG -29, but the possibility of deploying it in the conditions of very specific wars of 1991 and 1999 was limited.

Under such circumstances, the chance to test modernized Russian aircraft such as the SU -27 SM, SU-30M2, MIG -29SM and other strike aircraft - despite simulations, they are still against real western aircraft and pilots - is too attractive to be miss out on.

There is a political question, however: "Who are we friends against?" The answer is very simple: against nobody. Russia and the United States have been successfully talking the same language in the military sphere for a long time. Here, more problems unite the two countries than separate them. At the same time, the existing contradictions can be solved over a short period of time. However, as one could tell, that does not prevent us from continuing to study each other.
http://rpdefense.over-blog.com/article-russian-air-force-to-take-part-in-usaf-training-exercises-107809338.html

Space shuttle arrives home for one last 'endeavor'

An F-35 Lightning II flies over Space Shuttle Endeavour Sept. 20, 2012. The space shuttle landed at Edwards after completing the fourth leg of its ferry flight to the California Science Center in Los Angeles. (Courtesy photo by Matthew Short/Lockheed Martin)

by Laura Mowry, Edwards Air Force Base Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- For the Edwards community who has been actively involved in NASA's Space Shuttle program since flight testing began in the 1970's, it was a bittersweet day when Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived one last time Sept. 20, piggy-backed on NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

When the SCA departed the following morning to deliver Space Shuttle Endeavour to the California Science Center in Los Angeles, Calif., it was an appropriate ending to an epic chapter in American and aviation history that happens to be very personal for so many at Edwards.

While Team Edwards gathered around the base to watch the historic arrival and takeoff, unaccompanied Airmen living in the dorms and family members of deployed spouses had the rare opportunity to get up close to the SCA and Space Shuttle Endeavour.

"I enjoyed being a part of something bigger than me, to look up at something that was actually in space and realize the countless hours and effort that went into putting that in motion. That's what really moved me," said Airman Michael Day, 412th Communications Squadron. "It was cool to see such an iconic piece of history."

For the young Airman, the opportunity to see Space Shuttle Endeavour up close reminded Day of how he was inspired as a child watching the space shuttle with his family.

"I remember growing up and watching various shuttle take offs and landings with my grandma and wanting to do that. She always told me to do my best and I can be whatever it is I wanted to be; even an astronaut," said Day.

Just as Airman Day continues to be captivated by the shuttle program, people from all over the world have marveled at the country's space program from 1981 to 2011.

While the world looked on in amazement, the Edwards community continued working with NASA to flight test the space shuttle and subsequently functioned as a critical support system when Edwards was picked as the primary alternate landing site.

Programs throughout the 1960's and 1970's such as the North American X-15, Northrop HL-10, X-24A and X-24B, tested hypersonic flight; lifting body designs and aerodynamic characteristics; manned atmospheric re-entry and the ability to land a piloted aircraft with no power on a conventional runway.

The first major milestone for the shuttle program at Edwards occurred Aug. 12, 1977 when the Space Shuttle Enterprise successfully launched from the back of the Boeing 747 SCA and landed on Rogers Dry Lake. After four more tests, Edwards personnel had successfully demonstrated the reliability of the shuttle for routine approach and landings.

"Testing was done at Edwards that proved the concept that a space shuttle orbiter could return to Earth, manned and land on a conventional runway," said Dr. Joseph Mason, Air Force Test Center chief historian. "That testing was done at Edwards and it was largely done in cooperation between NASA and the Air Force".

According to Dr. Mason, the first four missions flown by the orbiter were flight test missions with landings at Edwards. Although the Enterprise was the first full-scale shuttle, it never went into orbit.

It landed on the dry lakebed and then the runway. After that, the first four or so shuttle missions with Columbia were essentially flight test missions for the program and it demonstrated the systems would work.

April 14, 1981, the Space Shuttle Columbia successfully completed its first orbital mission and touched down on Rogers Dry Lake. It was the first time in history that an orbital vehicle returned to Earth on wings.

One of the early test missions was flown by Joe Engle, who had flown earlier missions in the X-15, earning his astronaut wings for reaching altitudes in excess of 50 miles.

When flight test concluded, Edwards then stepped up to function as an alternate landing site. When the program finally wrapped up in 2011, 54 shuttle landings occurred at Edwards.

"Joe Engle flew one of those early test missions of the shuttle to Edwards, flying it manually. After the concept had been demonstrated, most landings occurred at Kennedy Space Center and Edwards then served as an alternate location when the weather was bad," said Mason.

"Not only were the shuttles assembled in the Antelope Valley at Air Force Plant 42 by Rockwell Collins, Edwards was significant in terms of test and development, proving the shuttle's capability. We were key to both development and operations," he continued.

As Space Shuttle Endeavour passed over the latest Air Force programs, such as the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, it offered the community time to reflect on their achievements and instrumental role in the program, but more than that, it provided an opportunity to look towards the future.

"I think it's significant that personnel at NASA and Edwards who were a key part of this program can see this shuttle on the way to its final resting place," said Mason.

It may have been bittersweet for the Edwards community to watch the shuttle depart the base for one last time Sept. 21, but it's only a matter of time before the testing begins on the next generation of the nation's space program. It's a time for ingenuity and creativity to create a new program that meets today's challenges.

"This was such a great experience to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour, but I am really excited to see the innovation of the next generation as we continue moving forward and into the future," said Day.

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 27 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

AE4EB2 168428 LL428 2012-09-27 23:46:53 P-8A United States VP-30 7264  27000  
AE152C 166378 VV105 2012-09-27 23:33:18 C-37B United States USN | VR-1 [KADW] 0562  43000  
AE4EB2 168428 LL428 2012-09-27 21:40:36 P-8A United States VP-30  
AE29FC 168205 ---  2012-09-27 21:11:58 UC-12W United States USMC | VMGR-252 [KNKT] 1200  5375  
AE0413 164386 GOTO FMS 2012-09-27 21:00:58 E-6B United States USN | VQ-4 [KTIK] ---  26000  
AE0563 85-0006 RCH473 2012-09-27 21:00:31 C-5B United States AFRC | 439AW | 337AS [KCEF]   
AE08F9 84-24376 3472 2012-09-27 20:16:02 C-12R United States OSACOM/PAT 2536  26000  
ADFD04 95-0056 ---  2012-09-27 20:15:32 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
AE13CE 04-6205 ---  2012-09-27 20:13:11 T-6A United States USAF | 71FTW [KEND]   
ADFCF5 95-0041 ---  2012-09-27 19:35:10 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
AB146A 10-0261 ---  2012-09-27 19:35:08 C-12U United States ---   
ADFDB8 93-1038 RAVEN 22 2012-09-27 19:27:12 C-130H United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF]   
ADFD04 95-0056 ---  2012-09-27 19:08:59 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
AE1494 97-0100 PEACH99 2012-09-27 19:04:29 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]   
A2172E N23380 ---  2012-09-27 18:55:22 JRC-12G United States US Army | AFTD DET [KHSV]   
83AEFC 84-24378 24378 2012-09-27 17:48:49 C-12U United States USARC | C/2-228 AVN (TA) [KFBG] 1612  24950  
AA17AF N75 ---  2012-09-27 17:45:14 King Air 300 United States ---   
AE0110 94-1570 BOXR819 2012-09-27 17:40:51 C-38A United States DC ANG | 113Wg | 201AS [KADW]   
AE1BEF 07-4636 JILL82 2012-09-27 17:39:15 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF]   
ADFD04 95-0056 ---  2012-09-27 16:27:42 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS  
AB146A 10-0261 ---  2012-09-27 16:21:12 C-12U United States ---  
ADFCB7 93-0631 ---  2012-09-27 15:30:44 T-1A United States USAF | 479FTG | 451FTS [KNPA]   
AE1494 97-0100 PEACH99 2012-09-27 14:35:39 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]  
AE10CE 165512 ---  2012-09-27 14:34:41 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]   
A2172E N23380 ---  2012-09-27 14:26:14 JRC-12G United States US Army | AFTD DET [KHSV]  
83AEFC 84-24378 24378 2012-09-27 13:47:26 C-12U United States USARC | C/2-228 AVN (TA) [KFBG]  
83AEFC 84-24378 24378 2012-09-27 13:22:46 C-12U United States USARC | C/2-228 AVN (TA) [KFBG]  
ADFECB 84-0485 PATSW00 2012-09-27 13:12:30 C-12T-3 United States KY ARNG | OSACOM DET-11 [KFFT]   
A4F2EE N418MC GTI8672 2012-09-27 01:34:04 B747-47UF United States AtlasAir 3310  35975  
AE010F 94-1569 BOXR063 2012-09-27 00:55:29 C-38A United States DC ANG | 113Wg | 201AS [KADW]   

Mode-S/ADS-B Milcom Intercepts 27 Sep 2012 - Deltona, FL

The following Mode-S intercepts are courtesy of our SE US Mode-S network member and Milcom monitor Jack NeSmith in Deltona, FL. Thanks Jack.

AE0433 02-5001 --- 2012-09-27 23:25:13 C-32B United States USAF | 486FLTS [KVPS] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE04D9 165831 CNV4981 2012-09-27 22:57:22 C-40A United States USNR | VR-59 [KNFW] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE08F9 84-24376 3472 2012-09-27 22:56:40 C-12R United States OSACOM/PAT Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE01BB 84-0102 SWIFT73 2012-09-27 22:40:15 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW
| 311AS [KCOS] Deltona FL, US --- ---
A202D4 N229E --- 2012-09-27 22:30:21 206H United States DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE148B 92-3290 --- 2012-09-27 22:08:33 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE1F36 07-72039 N72039 2012-09-27 21:40:36 UH-72A United States US Army | Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE08F9 84-24376 3472 2012-09-27 21:40:18 C-12R United States OSACOM/PAT Deltona FL, US --- ---
A202D4 N229E --- 2012-09-27 21:31:16 206H United States DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Deltona FL, US --- ---
ADFE1A 1714 --- 2012-09-27 21:21:13 HC-130H United States USCG | CGAS Sacramento [KMCC] Deltona FL, US --- ---
A202D4 N229E N229E 2012-09-27 21:16:24 206H United States DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE2F99 168067 --- 2012-09-27 21:12:50 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-352
[KNKX] Deltona FL, US --- ---
ACAA6B N915NA --- 2012-09-27 21:04:29 T-38N United States NASA Johnson [KEFD] Deltona FL, US 0000 15800
AE1F3C 08-72045 --- 2012-09-27 20:44:49 UH-72A United States 2-151Aviation/FL-ArNG Deltona FL, US --- ---
A2191E N234U N234U 2012-09-27 20:36:57 206H United States US DOJ | DEA Deltona FL, US 0000 3375
A0B1CF N144CS --- 2012-09-27 20:10:53 P3B United States UNITED STATES CUSTOMS SERVICE Deltona FL, US 0000 19000
AE1489 90-0175 CANOE03 2012-09-27 20:08:57 E-8C United States Northrop Grumman Deltona FL, US 0000 21000
AE1479 166767 VM767 2012-09-27 20:03:50 UC-35D United States MAW-4 Deltona FL, US 1546 29375
AE0332 74-2131 RCH434T 2012-09-27 20:02:08 C-130H United States USAF |  19AW
| 50AS [KLRF] Deltona FL, US 0000 22000
AE057F 87-0034 --- 2012-09-27 19:46:13 C-5B United States USAF | 60AMW [KSUU] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE10EC 2006 C2006 2012-09-27 19:25:20 HC-130J United States USCG | CGAS Elizabeth City [KECG] Deltona FL, US 1313 26000
AE10EC 2006 C2006 2012-09-27 19:13:18 HC-130J United States USCG | CGAS Elizabeth City [KECG] Deltona FL, US 1313 26000
AE01C1 165151 --- 2012-09-27 19:10:23 C-20G United States USNR | VR-48 [KADW] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE1479 166767 VM767 2012-09-27 18:56:50 UC-35D United States MAW-4 Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE0253 98-1355 --- 2012-09-27 18:54:45 C-130J United States USAF | 314AW 48AS [KLRF] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE0253 98-1355 --- 2012-09-27 18:43:27 C-130J United States USAF | 314AW | 48AS [KLRF] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE05D2 82-0059 RCH385T 2012-09-27 18:41:15 C-130H United States AK ANG | 176WG | 144AS [PANC] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE1479 166767 VM767 2012-09-27 18:38:24 UC-35D United States MAW-4 Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE10C8 160053 --- 2012-09-27 18:37:43 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE05D2 82-0059 RCH385T 2012-09-27 18:20:52 C-130H United States AK ANG | 176WG | 144AS [PANC] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE04BA 58-0055 RCH973 2012-09-27 18:03:15 KC-135T United States USAF |  92ARW
[KSKA] Deltona FL, US 0000 27000
AE29FD 166694 --- 2012-09-27 17:43:57 C-40A United States USNR | VR-59 [KNFW] Deltona FL, US 3201 38000
AE29FD 166694 CNV4683 2012-09-27 17:22:57 C-40A United States USNR | VR-59 [KNFW] Deltona FL, US 3201 38000
AE07AB 60-0331 --- 2012-09-27 17:10:38 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW 927ARW Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE0332 74-2131 RCH434T 2012-09-27 17:10:35 C-130H United States USAF | 19AW | 50AS [KLRF] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE07AB 60-0331 --- 2012-09-27 16:58:26 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW  | 927ARW Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE05B2 64-14838 --- 2012-09-27 16:58:15 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW 91ARS [KMCF] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE0332 74-2131 RCH434T 2012-09-27 16:52:57 C-130H United States USAF | 19AW | 50AS [KLRF] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE055F 85-0002 --- 2012-09-27 16:39:15 C-5M United States USAF | 436AW | 9AS [KDOV] Deltona FL, US 0724 15800
ADFE06 1502 --- 2012-09-27 16:12:58 HC-130H United States USCG | CGAS Elizabeth City [KECG] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE1D26 ------ PELCN18 2012-09-27 15:44:45 P-3C United States --- Deltona FL, US 4343 6650
AE04BA 58-0055 RCH973 2012-09-27 15:44:33 KC-135T United States USAF | 92ARW [KSKA] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE07AB 60-0331 --- 2012-09-27 15:41:06 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 927ARW Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE05B2 64-14838 --- 2012-09-27 15:40:51 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 91ARS [KMCF] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE05D2 82-0059 RCH385T 2012-09-27 15:38:16 C-130H United States AK ANG | 176WG | 144AS [PANC] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE02E8 84-0205 COBB 29 2012-09-27 15:26:29 C-130H United States AFRC | 94AW | 700AS [KMGE] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE07AB 60-0331 PIRAT42 2012-09-27 15:21:07 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW  927ARW Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE05B2 64-14838 PIRAT41 2012-09-27 15:20:58 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 91ARS [KMCF] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE05D2 82-0059 RCH385T 2012-09-27 15:18:28 C-130H United States AK ANG | 176WG | 144AS [PANC] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE1F53 08-72068 --- 2012-09-27 15:17:09 UH-72A United States PR-NG Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE10C8 160053 --- 2012-09-27 14:48:21 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE1D26 ------ PELCN18 2012-09-27 14:40:21 P-3C United States --- Deltona FL, US 4343 6650
AE0405 97-1944 --- 2012-09-27 14:35:22 C-37A United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE0239 63-7977 BOLT43 2012-09-27 14:34:35 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 927ARW Deltona FL, US 0000 34000
AE0405 97-1944 R1944 2012-09-27 14:23:34 C-37A United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW] Deltona FL, US --- ---
000008 (98-0132) --- 2012-09-27 14:16:55 F-15 United States USAFE | 48FW [EGUL] Deltona FL, US 0000 0
AE0405 97-1944 R1944 2012-09-27 13:56:16 C-37A United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE0405 97-1944 R1944 2012-09-27 13:44:22 C-37A United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW] Deltona FL, US --- ---
ADFED1 85-1263 --- 2012-09-27 13:23:20 C-12U United States OSACOMDet.56PR-ArNG [TJIG] Deltona FL, US 0765 4375
ADFEDE 86-0088 PAT377A 2012-09-27 13:14:09 C-12F United States FL ARNG | OSACOM DET-8 [KSGJ] Deltona FL, US 3064 25950
AE4EB4 168430 --- 2012-09-27 13:03:38 P-8A United States --- Deltona FL, US --- ---
ADFEDE 86-0088 PAT377A 2012-09-27 12:55:57 C-12F United States FL ARNG | OSACOM DET-8 [KSGJ] Deltona FL, US 3064 25950
A2191E N234U N234U 2012-09-27 12:08:12 206H United States US DOJ | DEA Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE4EB2 168428 --- 2012-09-27 11:55:19 P-8A United States VP-30 Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE055F 85-0002 RCH506 2012-09-27 11:45:21 C-5M United States USAF | 436AW | 9AS [KDOV] Deltona FL, US --- ---
AE055F 85-0002 RCH506 2012-09-27 11:33:49 C-5M United States USAF | 436AW | 9AS [KDOV] Deltona FL, US --- ---

Navy Task Force Arrives in Scotland for Joint Warrior

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Foster Bamford, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

FASLANE, Scotland (NNS) -- Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) 46 Detachment 2 pulled into the port of Faslane, Scotland for a port visit, Sept. 26.

Gettysburg, Mitscher and fleet replenishment ship USNS Leroy Grumman (TAO 195) are in the area to take part in Exercise Joint Warrior.

Test Squadron 1, Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 and VP 10 will arrive later this week and also play a role in the exercise, which begins Oct. 1.

Joint Warrior is a coalition exercise designed and led by the joint tactical exercise planning staff in the United Kingdom. Joint Warrior is the United Kingdom's advanced certification course and is on par with a U.S. Joint Task Force Exercise, which certifies U.S. ships for deployment.

"Before any kind of major operation or deployment, we want to make sure that the ships are fully capable and the crew is ready to go," said Capt. Bob Hein, Gettysburg's commanding officer. "That's kind of what we're doing in this training event."

Exercise Joint Warrior is intended to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepare them for possible joint exercises in the real world. Maritime support reconnaissance patrol aircraft from Experimental Evaluation Joint Warrior gives coalition forces a chance to find out what each country's navy is capable of and how they can work with each other.

The exercise also gives the ships the rare opportunity to practice in a real-world training environment.

"Many of the allied units involved in Joint Warrior exercises will be the same units our ships will see on deployment." said Capt. Nelson Castro, commander, DESRON 26. "This familiarity allows for the development of trust."

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 26 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

AAAAAA various ---  2012-09-26 22:23:23 various various ---   
A5FF5B N486EV EIA1381 2012-09-26 22:23:06 B747-212B United States Evergreen International 2342  36025  
AE0428 62-3511 SLUFF31 2012-09-26 22:02:09 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]   
AE0428 62-3511 SLUFF31 2012-09-26 21:58:04 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]   
AE130C 166513 OTIS38 2012-09-26 21:08:31 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-252 [KNKT] 2053  23000  
0D060C ------ ---  2012-09-26 20:57:57 ------ Mexico --- 7016  40000  
ADFCED 94-0142 ---  2012-09-26 20:00:41 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
ADFCD1 94-0114 ---  2012-09-26 19:46:42 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
AE0181 84-0139 YANKEE 2012-09-26 19:22:18 C-21A United States CT ANG | 103FW | 118FS [KBDL]   
A570EF N45N ---  2012-09-26 19:07:49 BEECH 200T US DYNAMIC AVIATION   
ADFC65 90-0404 ---  2012-09-26 18:40:30 T-1A United States USAF | 12FTW | 99FTS [KRND]   
ADFE2B ------ ---  2012-09-26 18:28:42 HU-25D United States --- 2073  27000  
ADFD0D 95-0065 ---  2012-09-26 18:27:29 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
AE4EE9 ------ ---  2012-09-26 18:23:22 ------ United States ---   
ADFCF6 95-0042 ---  2012-09-26 17:41:51 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
AAAAAA various N3096T 2012-09-26 16:45:34 various various ---  
AE01DD 79-1712 DUCE05 2012-09-26 16:44:20 KC-10A United States USAF | 305AMW [KWRI]   
AE152C 166378 ---  2012-09-26 15:53:20 C-37B United States USN | VR-1 [KADW]   
AE1363 163045 ---  2012-09-26 15:33:22 EA-6B United States USNAVY   
AE1191 03-0016 ---  2012-09-26 15:11:30 UC-35B United States USARC | B/2-228 AVN (TA) [KMGE]   
43C208 ZZ178 RR6733 2012-09-26 15:07:41 C-17A United Kingdom RAF | 99SQ   
ADFCB7 93-0631 ---  2012-09-26 14:50:51 T-1A United States USAF | 479FTG | 451FTS [KNPA]   
ADFC9D 92-0348 ---  2012-09-26 14:20:21 T-1A United States USAF | 479FTG | 451FTS [KNPA]   
00000A Various ---  2012-09-26 12:30:35 Various Various ---   
A6E3A8 N543GA ---  2012-09-26 02:34:33 C90A United States ---   
AE0272 64-14840 SLUF31 2012-09-26 00:16:58 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK] 4010  33000  

Basing of first U.S. Space Fence facility announced

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- The Air Force will base a Space Fence radar site on Kwajalein Island in the Republic of the Marshall Islands with initial operations capability planned for fiscal 2017.

The Fence will provide a critical Space Surveillance Network capability needed to give warfighters the ability to maintain a full and accurate orbital catalog, ensure orbital safety and perform conjunction assessments.

Air Force Space Command will award a contract to build the radar, which will be capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and characterizing space objects in low and medium earth orbits. Construction is expected to begin September 2013 and is planned to take 48 months to complete construction and testing.

Until the final design is determined, it is unknown exactly how many personnel will be required to construct the radar site. After construction is complete and the radar is operational, approximately 10 to 15 contractor personnel are projected for the long-term work force at Kwajalein to maintain the Space Fence radar. A support agreement will be established between Air Force Space Command and the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site for site support and facilities maintenance. Contractor operations and maintenance support for the radar site will fall under the responsibility of the 21st Space Wing here.

The Space Fence is a radar system operating in the S-Band frequency range to perform uncued detection, tracking, and accurate measurement of orbiting objects in low earth - primary -- and medium earth - secondary -- orbital regimes.

The Space Fence will provide precise positional data on orbiting objects and will be the most accurate radar in the Space Surveillance Network. Space Fence data will be fed to the Joint Space Operations Center at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. Data from the Space Fence radar will be integrated with other Space Surveillance Network data to provide a comprehensive space situational awareness and integrated space picture.

The Space Fence will provide enhanced space surveillance capabilities to detect and track orbiting objects such as commercial and military satellites and space debris. The Fence will have greater sensitivity, allowing it to detect, track and measure an object the size of a softball orbiting more than 1,200 miles in space. Because it is an uncued tracking system, it will provide evidence of satellite break-ups, collisions or unexpected maneuvers of satellites.

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 25 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

AE010F 94-1569 BOXR063 2012-09-25 22:26:16 C-38A United States DC ANG | 113Wg | 201AS [KADW] 2301  38975  
AE0272 64-14840 SLUF31 2012-09-25 21:43:24 KC-135R United States OH ANG | 121ARW [KLCK]  
AE119D 03-3120 RCH440 2012-09-25 21:08:35 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]   
ADFCAC 92-0363 ---  2012-09-25 20:31:21 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
A8597B N637TW CMB500 2012-09-25 20:15:55 Boeing 767-33AER United States Ryan Intl Airlines ---  35975  
AE1238 03-3127 RCH366 2012-09-25 20:12:14 C-17A United States USAF | 305AMW | 6AS [KWRI]   
AE144F 05-5145 ---  2012-09-25 19:59:46 C-17A United States AFRC | 452AMW | 729AS [KRIV]   
ADFCA2 92-0353 ---  2012-09-25 19:51:04 T-1A United States USAF | 479FTG | 451FTS [KNPA]   
ADFC89 91-0101 ---  2012-09-25 19:47:26 T-1A United States USAF | 479FTG | 451FTS [KNPA]   
ADFED6 85-1268 ---  2012-09-25 19:18:34 C-12U United States US ARMY | OSACOM VA RFC [KDAA]   
ADFDB8 93-1038 RAVEN 22 2012-09-25 18:20:17 C-130H United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF]   
AE1238 03-3127 RCH366 2012-09-25 17:40:39 C-17A United States USAF | 305AMW | 6AS [KWRI]  
AE10D2 165516 ---  2012-09-25 17:39:02 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA] 2626  24975  
AE0672 63-8014 BACKY03 2012-09-25 17:32:56 KC-135R United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]   
A6E3A8 N543GA ---  2012-09-25 17:32:07 C90A United States ---  
AE1BEF 07-4636 GLEAN35 2012-09-25 16:54:35 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF] 3127  0  
AE0672 63-8014 BACKY03 2012-09-25 16:49:21 KC-135R United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]   
AE0413 164386 GOTO FMS 2012-09-25 16:47:17 E-6B United States USN | VQ-4 [KTIK] 5632  27000  
A5A043 N4614N ---  2012-09-25 16:34:36 550 United States US Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement   
AE1462 06-6164 ---  2012-09-25 16:27:12 C-17A United States USAF | 60AMW | 21AS [KSUU]   
ADFD00 95-0052 ---  2012-09-25 16:21:35 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
AE4B03 ------ FIXER55 2012-09-25 15:43:08 C-130J United States ---   
AE04AC 99-0103 ---  2012-09-25 15:41:14 UC-35a1 United States USARC | B/2-228 AVN (TA) [KMGE]
ADFFC6 64-13297 ---  2012-09-25 15:41:13 T-38A United States USAF | 9RW | 1RS [KBAB]
AE0330 74-2070 GLEAN34 2012-09-25 15:41:09 C-130H United States USAF | 19AW [KLRF]
AE1211 03-0726 ---  2012-09-25 15:35:47 UC-35C United States USARC | 2-228 AVN
A6D6D9 N54PA N54PA 2012-09-25 04:36:24 Lear 36 United States PHOENINXAIR 3657  38725  
AE1492 96-0042 ??? KOMODO4 2012-09-25 01:36:03 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB] 5250  0  
AE1492 96-0042 ??? KOMODO4 2012-09-25 00:21:53 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB] 5250  0  

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 24 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

AE06D9 163561 00000000 2012-09-24 21:57:08 UC-12F United States USMC | VMR DET MIRAMAR [KNKX] 1510  27000  
477FF3 03 ---  2012-09-24 21:53:24 C-17A Hungary NATO   
AE01BD 84-0131 SPAR865 2012-09-24 21:17:29 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]   
AE2935 78-23140 ---  2012-09-24 21:07:04 C-12 United States ---   
AE1175 02-1103 RCH649 2012-09-24 21:02:57 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]   
AE49C4 09-9208 RCH9208 2012-09-24 20:37:10 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]   
AE03FB 84-0143 ---  2012-09-24 19:37:03 C-12U United States USARMY   
AE07EC 96-0002 RCH896 2012-09-24 19:05:24 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]   
AE151A 166377 ---  2012-09-24 18:51:04 C-37B United States USN | VR-1 [KADW]   
AE11D2 71-1407 SNTRY40H 2012-09-24 18:41:16 E-3B United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK]   
AE06E4 163836 ---  2012-09-24 17:59:28 UC-12F United States USNAVY   
AE04AC 99-0103 ---  2012-09-24 17:40:46 UC-35a1 United States USARC | B/2-228 AVN (TA) [KMGE]   
AAEC74 10-0256 ---  2012-09-24 17:24:37 C-12V1 United States US Army | B/6-52 AVN (TA) DET-1 [KFTK]   
AE1211 03-0726 ---  2012-09-24 17:24:21 UC-35C United States USARC | 2-228 AVN   
AE010F 94-1569 BOXR063 2012-09-24 17:19:36 C-38A United States DC ANG | 113Wg | 201AS [KADW]   
ADFC65 90-0404 ---  2012-09-24 16:48:41 T-1A United States USAF | 12FTW | 99FTS [KRND]   
AE01BD 84-0131 SPAR865 2012-09-24 16:25:44 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]  
AE06D9 163561 00000000 2012-09-24 16:24:47 UC-12F United States USMC | VMR DET MIRAMAR [KNKX]  
AE03FB 84-0143 00000000 2012-09-24 15:56:03 C-12U United States USARMY  
AE148B 92-3290 ---  2012-09-24 15:53:21 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]   
ADFCF8 95-0044 ---  2012-09-24 15:51:31 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
ADFE2B ------ ---  2012-09-24 15:01:39 HU-25D United States ---   
A6FAA1 N549PA ---  2012-09-24 14:55:25 LEARJET 35 United States Phoenix Air Group (EMS) [KVPC] 3541  35225  
AE10CD 165511 ---  2012-09-24 14:48:40 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]   
AE049B 61-0313 ---  2012-09-24 14:42:33 KC-135R United States AFRC | 916ARW | 77ARS [KGSB]   
A9A74E N721AL ---  2012-09-24 14:23:38 DHC-8-402 United States US DOJ | FBI HQ [KHEF]   
AE4EB4 168430 ---  2012-09-24 14:21:08 P-8A United States ---   
AE4EB4 168430 ---  2012-09-24 12:53:01 P-8A United States ---  
AE04AD 99-0104 ---  2012-09-24 11:14:45 UC-35a1 United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI ]   
AE138C 04-3144 GLEAN37 2012-09-24 10:53:44 C-130J-30 United States USAF | 19AW | 48AS [KLRF] 1522  25000  
AE07E0 94-0066 RCH134 2012-09-24 04:38:04 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM] 7230  37000  
AE20C8 07-7187 RCH270 2012-09-24 00:51:48 C-17a United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS]   
AE1196 03-3113 ---  2012-09-24 00:27:23 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]   
AE1196 03-3113 E33113 2012-09-24 00:05:32 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]   

Lancers, Falcons share South Dakota skies

An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the South Dakota Air National Guard’s 175th Fighter Squadron thunders skyward at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., Sept. 18, 2012. The 114th Fighter Wing’s F-16s shared the flightline with Ellsworth’s resident B-1 bombers Sept. 17 to 21. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan/Released)

by Airman 1st Class Hrair H. Palyan, 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs

ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. (AFNS) -- The skies above Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., are routinely filled with B-1 bombers, but during Sept. 17 to 21, base bombers shared the airspace and ramp area with several South Dakota Air National Guard F-16s during a Guard training exercise.

The 114th Fighter Wing Fighting Lobos headquartered in Sioux Falls, S.D., came to Ellsworth for their 2012 Live Drop exercise.

"We're not allowed to use live ammunition for training purposes around Sioux Falls because we share airspace with a civilian airport," said Master Sgt. Shawn Greer, 114th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant. "Ellsworth was instrumental in allowing us to utilize their resources for our fighters to complete their annual requirements."

Prior to touching down at Ellsworth with more than 90 Airmen and six F-16 Fighting Falcons, Capt. Steve Schultz, 175th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot, said he visited Ellsworth in July to complete a site survey and ensure the base was capable of accommodating the group during the exercise.

"Luckily for us, the 37th Bomb Squadron is deployed to Southwest Asia," Schultz said, who previously participated in the Air National Guard's 2007 Live Drop exercise at Ellsworth. "We were able to land on Monday and immediately set up our operations for the week."

Schultz said he flew with four other F-16s to the Utah Test and Training Range Sept. 18, and successfully conducted long-range strike missions. He noted that at the completion of the exercise, aircrews were able to validate F-16 tactics, techniques and procedures used during long-range strike missions.

"It was great training for our new pilots," Schultz said. "We met our goal in hitting times over targets as precisely as possible. Things get a lot more serious when you fly with live ammunition, but because we practiced how we play, we were able to persevere."

With the culmination of the exercise, South Dakota Airmen from both sides of the state united to accomplish a true feat of total force.

Greer added that he appreciates how Ellsworth Airmen stepped up to ensure F-16 aircrews and support personnel had everything they needed to accomplish their mission.

"We came together as an Air Force team, not individual units or squadrons," Greer said. "I'm thankful for all the professionalism Ellsworth Airmen demonstrated."

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 19/23 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

AE49C4 09-9208 RCH9208 2012-09-23 23:19:43 C-17A United States USAF | 437AW [KCHS] 1055  29500  
AE2EDC 166095 ---  2012-09-23 21:27:21 T-6B United States ---   
AE173B 06-3841 ---  2012-09-23 19:44:51 T-6A United States USAF 7241  19975  
AE014C 63-8025 EXPO82 2012-09-23 19:40:51 KC-135R United States USAF | 22ARW [KIAB] 1035  37000  
AE089B 00-3574 ---  2012-09-23 19:25:15 T-6A United States USAF 3522  20050  
AE0154 63-8045 ---  2012-09-23 19:18:58 KC-135R United States USAF | 6AMW | 927ARW 6241  37000  
ADFCF5 95-0041 ---  2012-09-23 18:10:29 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
A6D6D9 N54PA ---  2012-09-23 16:10:12 Lear 36 United States PHOENINXAIR   
ADFD0C 95-0064 ---  2012-09-23 15:31:04 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   

AE148E 94-0284 PHENOM6 2012-09-19 03:32:54 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]   
AE12B4 65-0993 CHAIN92 2012-09-19 03:27:27 MC-130P United States USAF | 58SOW | 550SOS [KIKR] 1200  6400  
AE1294 89-0283 TALON15 2012-09-19 03:27:23 MC-130h United States USAF | 1SOW | 15SOS [KHRT] 1200  5800  
AE12B4 65-0993 CHAIN92 2012-09-19 03:06:41 MC-130P United States USAF | 58SOW | 550SOS [KIKR] 1200  6400  
AE1294 89-0283 TALON15 2012-09-19 03:05:43 MC-130h United States USAF | 1SOW | 15SOS [KHRT] 1200  5800  
AE1294 89-0283 TALON15 2012-09-19 02:28:41 MC-130h United States USAF | 1SOW | 15SOS [KHRT] 1200  5800  
AE1199 03-3116 RCH670 2012-09-19 00:09:07 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]   

USS Anzio Launches Air-to-Air Missile During UNITAS

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Frank J. Pikul, U.S. Fourth Fleet Public Affairs

Caribbean Sea (NNS) -- The Ticonderoga- class guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) conducted a standard missile (SN-2) launch and a live fire gunnery exercise during a drone exercise supporting UNITAS Atlantic 53-12, Sept. 21, which is being hosted by U.S. Fourth Fleet.

The missile launch was the first to be done on Anzio in nine years and was part of a larger subject matter expert exchange with other UNITAS participants.

"It was a challenge to coordinate this intricate operation with so many different ships," said Lt. Julio A. Nilsson, the operations officer aboard Anzio. "My job was to make sure everyone was on the same page so we could execute this as quickly and safely as possible. It takes teamwork to accomplish any kind of mission whether it be subject matter exchanges or the real thing."

The type of missile used for the exercise was a SM-2/RIM-66 and was used to fire at a drone aerial target launched from the Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36).

"My job is to make sure that our guns work properly and the missile launches," said Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan M. Griffin, the combat systems officer aboard Anzio. "It takes plenty of planning and hard work [goes] into firing off these weapons, especially when we haven't fired a missile off the ship in nearly a decade."

Once launched the missile locked on and hit the fast moving drone destroying it.

"We accomplished our mission today because the end result was a dead drone," said Griffin. "This shows the importance of the planning and years of training that we receive that culminate in moments like these."

UNITAS Atlantic 53-2012 is a U.S. and South America-sponsored international naval exercise. This is the 53rd year partner nations have participated in UNITAS, which stands for "unity" in Latin, making it the longest ongoing maritime exercise in the region.

Thirteen warships from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, the United States and the United Kingdom and observers from France, Jamaica, Panama and Peru are participating in the exercise, which will run from, Sept. 17 though September 28, 2012 in the west Caribbean and associated areas.

UNITAS is designed to train each naval force in a variety of maritime scenarios, with each operating as a component of a multinational force to provide the maximum opportunity to improve interoperability. The exercise develops and sustains relationships that improve the capacity of our emerging and enduring partners' maritime forces to achieve common desired effects. This annual exercise fosters friendly, mutual cooperation and understanding between participating navies.

Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. Fourth Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Ships Sortie for At-Sea Phase of UNITAS Atlantic

By Lt. Stephanie Homick, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command & U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

KEY WEST, Fla. (NNS) -- Thirteen ships representing the seven countries participating in the Atlantic Phase of UNITAS 2012 sortied to their operating area in the Caribbean, Sept. 20.

After spending a few days in port in Key West, Fla. preparing for the exercise through planning meetings, ships from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard departed the Mole Pier on the Truman Waterfront throughout the day.

"Meeting all the new people from all the different countries - it was fun to talk to them, hear their stories and I think it's going to be fun to work with them in the exercise now after having met with them in all the meetings and spending some time with them," said Lt. Matthew Bornemeier, a pilot embarked aboard USS Underwood (FFG 36). After leaving the pier, each ship completed a simulated channel transit and then rendezvoused at a predetermined location in the Caribbean. The afternoon comprised of each ship's air department conducting deck landing qualifications.

"It's one of those skills that's a perishable skill," said Bornemeier of the deck landing qualifications. "If you don't continue to practice, you become a little rusty and it's something we do all the time...to maintain our proficiency. It's a challenging exercise and we do it every time we take off and land."

The afternoon concluded with an air defense exercise, the purpose of which is to assess each ship's combat information center in air plotting and anti-air warfare radio telephone procedures.

"An air defense exercise tests a unit's capability to detect, track and engage an air target," said Lt. Lori Rose, Underwood's operations officer. "It flexes combat's ability to conduct anti-air warfare."

Sept. 20 is the first day of the eight-day at-sea phase of the 53rd iteration of UNITAS Atlantic.

UNITAS is the longest running and largest maritime exercise in this hemisphere. The 12-day exercise will entail a variety of operations intended to enhance interoperability between the partner nations.

USS Anzio Kicks-off Exercise in Caribbean

By Lt. j.g. Lauren Gaidry, USS Anzio Public Affairs

KEY WEST, Fla. (NNS) -- Guided-missile cruiser USS ANZIO (CG 68) moored in Key West, Florida, Sept. 20, the kick off location for UNITAS 53, a two-week multinational interoperability training exercise off the coast of Florida and in the Central Caribbean.

The word "UNITAS", Latin for 'Unity'. UNITAS is designed to train participating forces in a variety of maritime scenarios to test command and control of forces at sea, while operating as a multinational force to provide the maximum opportunity to improve interoperability.

Ships and staff from 11 different countries, including the United States, will be participating. The United States ships and aircraft will spend the two weeks operating with ships and helicopters from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the United Kingdom as well as staff members from France, Jamaica, Panama, and Peru both in port and at sea. The ships and their crews will be working together to complete tactically challenging training throughout the exercise. The end goal is to promote continued interoperability between the countries and enhance relationships through mutual cooperation and teamwork amongst nations.

"The number one mission [of UNITAS] is to continue to operate together in exercise so that we are able to do so in crisis... it is a huge investment in tackling our common maritime challenges," said Capt. John M. Dorey, commanding officer, USS Anzio, during a shipboard brief on the exercise.

During the exercise, each ship will be paired with a 'sister ship' to promote international relationships and build trust. USS Anzio has been partnered with the Colombian ship ARC Antioquia (FM 53) for the exercise. Selected officers and chief petty officers will be involved in social and professional activities with their counterparts from participating nations, strengthening the bonds of understanding and friendship. Sailors from Anzio will also be participating in a Habitat for Humanity community engagement project. A program called "Shipriders", gives Sailors the opportunity to get underway on foreign ships, and be completely immersed in the shipboard life and culture of the other ship throughout the entirety of UNITAS.

UNITAS is the longest running and largest maritime exercise in this hemisphere. The 12-day exercise will entail a variety of operations intended to enhance interoperability between the partner nations.

COMUSNAVSO/COMFOURTHFLT supports U.S. Southern Command joint and combined full-spectrum military operations by providing principally sea-based, forward presence to ensure freedom of maneuver in the maritime domain, to foster and sustain cooperative relationships with international partners and to fully exploit the sea as maneuver space in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

Fifth-generation formation

An F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and an F-22A Raptor from the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., soar over the Emerald Coast Sept. 19, 2012. This was the first time the two fifth-generation fighters have flown together for the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock)

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- An F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter and an F-22A Raptor flew together for the Air Force for the first time Sept. 19 over Florida's Emerald Coast.

The two fifth-generation fighters took off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where the F-35A is stationed with the 33rd Fighter Wing. The F-22 is with the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.

KC-46 enters critical design review phase

by Senior Airman Tabitha N. Haynes, Air Force District of Washington

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force KC-46A program director described the critical development phases of the next-generation refueling aircraft during the 2012 Air Force Association Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C., Sept. 18.

Maj. Gen. John F. Thompson, program executive officer for Tanker Programs, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, said that while KC-46's preliminary aircraft design review is complete, additional steps must be taken to develop a final aircraft design that meets system requirements.

Thompson added that 18 months into the aircraft development program the KC-46A is on track for critical design review in the fourth quarter of next year.

"There is a possibility in any program to have 50 number one priorities; I have never believed in that concept," Thompson said. "I will have a lot of number two and ... number three priorities, but my number one priority ... is to successfully get through the critical design review next year."

The aircraft configuration will advance, Thompson explained, from the commercial Boeing model 767-200ER aircraft to a Boeing model 767-2C Provisioned Freighter variant before final modification into a military certified KC-46 tanker, Thompson explained.

Select design features will allow the aircraft to carry out its "multi-role capabilities," including cargo transportation, passenger transportation and patient transportation (in addition to its primary role of aerial refueling)," Thompson added.

The KC-46 aircraft features an improved refueling system with 212,000 pounds of fuel delivery capabilities, capability to receive fuel in flight, 65,000 pounds of cargo carrying capability, passenger aero-medical capabilities, and engines each producing 62,000 pounds of thrust.

"Our goal is one program, one plan," Thompson said. "We are actually bending metal on this aircraft -- it is not just a paper design anymore."

Currently, testing has begun for the KC-46. Testing to date includes live fire and system integration lab testing.

"From a sustainment and supportability standpoint ... our goal is to go to 100 percent organically managed sustainment on this weapon system," Thompson said.

This means the Air Force may partner with industry for certain sustainment repair activities, but will remain in the lead for management purposes.

Despite the work that still remains in the KC-46 development, 18 next-generation refuelers are scheduled to join the fleet by 2017, Thompson said, adding that a total of 179 KC-46 aircraft are slated to be delivered by 2027.

U.S. Navy Ships Depart For Joint Warrior Exercise 12-2

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Foster Bamford, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

USS GETTYSBURG, At Sea (NNS) -- Two U.S. Navy ships, led by Commander, Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 26, departed from the U.S. for Scotland, Sept. 17.

The ships will take part in the Joint Warrior 12-2 exercise with allied navies. Joint Warrior is a coalition exercise designed and led by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS) in the United Kingdom.

Sailors from guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57), guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) 46 Detachment 2 and U.S. maritime support reconnaissance patrol aircraft from Experimental Evaluation Test Squadron (VX) 1, Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 and VP 10 and fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (TAO 195) will play a role in the exercise, which is intended to improve interoperability between allied navies and prepare them for possible joint exercises in the real world.

"Allied and coalition operations are the standard when units deploy," said Capt. Nelson Castro, commander of COMDESRON 26. "This exercise provides a venue for our Sailors to practice and learn NATO operating procedures."

Joint Warrior is the United Kingdom's advanced naval certification course and is on par with a U.S. Joint Task Force Exercise. The exercise is a multi-national training event for allies in a maritime environment. It aims to improve interoperability and prepare forces for combined exercises. There are 12 countries participating in Joint Warrior including the U.S. and the United Kingdom. Those countries are Denmark, Netherlands, Estonia, France, Spain, Norway, Brazil, Germany, Canada, Sweden, and Belgium.

"Many of the allied units involved in Joint Warrior exercises will be the same units our ships will see on deployment," said Castro. "This familiarity allows for the development of trust. All nations benefit from open commerce in the maritime common. Our Navy deployed forward supports the movement of goods worldwide, which affects everyone."

Joint Warrior is a two-week exercise that begins in early October. It involves sea, ground and air assets from participating allied and NATO forces and aims to foster a spirit of teamwork between allied nations.

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 18 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

AE148E 94-0284 PHENOM6 2012-09-18 23:19:51 E-8C United States GA ANG | 116ACW [KWRB]  
AE093D 01-0301 ---  2012-09-18 23:00:36 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW] 5623  36100  
AE0531 69-0011 RCH148 2012-09-18 22:50:43 C-5A United States TN ANG | 164AW | 155AS [KMEM] 7002  36000  
A8597B N637TW CMB515 2012-09-18 22:44:08 Boeing 767-33AER United States Ryan Intl Airlines 2156  37000  
ADFD7D 91-0513 ---  2012-09-18 22:25:04 C-26D United States SC ARNG |OSACOM DET-24   
AE11E3 77-0356 SNTRY60H 2012-09-18 21:51:34 E-3B United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK]   
A31A9F N3 ---  2012-09-18 20:57:53 C560 United States FAA   
A5A043 N4614N ---  2012-09-18 20:39:47 550 United States US Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement   
AE11E1 77-0353 SNTRY01H 2012-09-18 18:56:15 E-3B United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK]   
ADFDE8 94-6703 TORCH 77 2012-09-18 18:10:59 C-130H United States IL ANG | 182AW | 169AS [KPIA]   
AE015B 58-0104 HAPPY61 2012-09-18 15:57:38 KC-135R United States IL ANG | 126ARW | 108ARS [KBLV]   
A570F0 N45NA ---  2012-09-18 13:28:08 DC-9-33F United States US DOE | NNSA 5763  34000  
ADFED1 85-1263 ---  2012-09-18 12:41:46 C-12U United States OSACOMDet.56PR-ArNG [TJIG]   
A5D4AA N475LC N475LC 2012-09-18 12:02:33 Gulfstream IV United States L-3 Info Systems 2472  36025  
A6EBC5 N545PA ---  2012-09-18 11:51:46 Lear 36A United States PHOENINXAIR   
AE07DD 93-0603 RHINO96 2012-09-18 07:53:37 C-17A United States AFRC | 445AW | 89AS [KFFO]   

Afghanistan: When the Moon Sets, Watch Out

Courtesy Michael Yon Online Magazine

Last Friday night, the moon phase left Afghanistan in near total darkness. Even with clear skies, the enemy knew that at the brightest moment, the moon would only appear as an irrelevant orange sliver. Such times are called “red illumination,” or “red illum.” Planning calendars in Afghanistan highlight periods of red illum because they hamper aviation.

Even though this is the year 2012, and the Curiosity Rover is beaming images from Mars more than four decades after astronauts first trod on the lunar surface, the moon phase remains important when planning operations. The moment that the nighttime attack on Camp Bastion was reported, the moon phase could have been safely guessed without looking up.

In every respect, Southern Afghanistan is a dark part of the world. Without moonlight, most villages are black at night. The brightest places in the country are our bases. Cultural lights present little danger to Taliban moving at night. Our air assets, including our aerostat balloons, are often their biggest concern.

This war is mature. The enemy knows us, and we know them. After 11 years, the Taliban realizes that most helicopter traffic ceases during red illum. Most birds will only fly for urgent MEDEVAC, or for special operations. The enemy closely observes our air traffic. Operations slow under red illum, so air traffic declines, and the chances of being spotted by roving aircraft are reduced.

There is a misconception that UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) such as Predators can detect everything. They cannot. Their field of vision is like looking through a toilet paper roll. The UAVs are great for specific targets, such as watching a house, but imagine patrolling. It is like trying to visually swat mosquitoes using no ears, no sense of touch, and only the ability to look through a toilet paper roll. You will get some, and miss many.

We only have enough UAVs to cover small splotches of the country, and there are bases, roads, operations, and targets spread throughout Afghanistan and elsewhere that need watching. The enemy can spoof observers by using a “pattern of life” (POL) for camouflage. So even if our UAV operators see apparently unarmed natives moving, it is no guarantee of early detection.

Our UAVs over Afghanistan fly with their strobes flashing to avoid collisions. If a Predator or Reaper crashes into a commercial airliner because it was flying blacked out while staring at the ground, that is a problem. The enemy can see our UAVs from miles away.

A key realization: the enemy uses cheap night vision gear in the form of cameras that have night functions. When our IR lasers, our IR strobes, our IR illumination or our IR spotlights are radiating, they can easily be seen using cheap digital cameras. I recently told this to some Norwegian soldiers, who were as surprised as our soldiers to learn it. I learned this from the enemy, not from our guys. The Taliban even use smart phone cameras to watch for invisible lasers. The enemy in Afghanistan has been caught using cameras for night vision. It is just a stroke of common sense: I have been doing it for eight years since I noticed an IR laser one night in Iraq.

A Norwegian trooper explained that one dark night in Afghanistan, they got ambushed with accurate but distant machinegun fire. When they turned off their IR strobes, the fire ended. When they turned the IR strobes back on, the fires resumed. When they turned them off for good, it was over.

Many of our people believe that the enemy does not use night vision. There was a time when this was true, but the war has matured and this is now false. If your firefly is strobing on your helmet, or if you are carrying a cracked IR chemlight, do not be surprised if you take accurate fire during a black night. When JTACs mark targets with IR lasers, or when aircraft such as Predators lase for Hellfire shots or for target ID, they look like purple or green sunbeams through night vision optics and they are crazy bright. You cannot miss them.

To maximize chances of success for an assault such as that at Bastion last Friday, the Taliban know that it is best to start early, on a moonless night, just after red illum has begun. Other Afghans engaged in normal masking movements can provide POL camouflage. The enemy knows that only “Terry Taliban” is skulking around after midnight, so they start early when possible.

By 7PM last Friday, the night was very dark, and by 8PM, it was thick and black, making it a perfect time to close in on the target. Camp Bastion would appear lit up like Las Vegas, standing alone, glowing like a giant bubble of light in the “Desert of Death.” On the darkest nights, the lights of Bastion sometimes reflect orange off the clouds above, and they can be seen for miles around, causing Afghans to ask why the base glows like the morning sun, yet they do not have a drop of electricity. The days of goodwill and hope are over.

During periods of utter darkness, many of our light-intensifying systems are useless. There is not enough light for them to work with, which is why many aircraft do not fly during red illum. This also affects ground troops whose systems likewise do not have enough light to intensify, and it reduces their air cover, and thus all air and ground operations.

Last Friday was dark without infrared spotlights, or IR illumination fired from cannons and mortars. It is not always a good idea to fire those around major airbases. And besides, the spotlights and illum rounds have limitations and cannot see around contours. Thermal imagers work during complete darkness but they cannot see into hidden gullies. Ground surveillance radar (GSR) and other sensors are of limited use, especially when the enemy uses masking POL. All of these systems work together, and they can be helpful, but they can be foiled through experience and subterfuge, especially when our forces are complacent in the armored cocoons of the mega-bases.

Camp Bastion is set far back in the desert as a security precaution. Approaches can be seen for miles. Consulting Google Earth and other imagery might lead you to believe that there is no approach that cannot be observed. This is true when the air assets are up, and it is true up close whether the aerial surveillance platforms are up or not. But the desert is not flat like a billiard table. We all know what water and wind can do to terrain. The surface is closer to a waffle than to a pancake.

I scouted around Camp Bastion more than six years ago, before the camp was up and running, and since that time I have flown low-level there on many occasions. Many ripples and folds provide cover from direct observation from the base perimeter. The micro-terrain might not be obvious from Google Earth or from maps, but there are dead-space approaches that locals can use. Afghans have long been expert at traveling unseen in what appears to be wide-open territory. This is one of their strengths, and it has been described in accounts of war after war. Just as navies can hide in the open seas, Afghans can hide in treeless deserts, unless aircraft or roving patrols detect them.

The Taliban’s major vulnerability is our mastery of the air, but if they can negate it, we are approaching tactical equality because they have home turf advantage, and they have lived there since antiquity. Local Afghans have had six-years since Bastion was built to map ingress and egress routes, and to probe ISAF defenses and reactions.

This morning, four days after the attack, ISAF HQ in Kabul announced that they had arrested one of the Taliban leaders behind Friday’s attack. According to ISAF, they nabbed him in Nad ‘Ali district. This district is a green zone about sixteen miles from Camp Bastion. Some of the closest built-up areas contiguous to Nad ‘Ali are just a handful of miles away from Camp Bastion. If the enemy were coming to shoot rockets or mortars at Bastion with the intention of escaping, the hazard would be high, depending on ISAF rules of engagement. But attackers who are prepared for a one-way trip have demonstrated that they can achieve success.

Last Friday, a few hours after sunset, the Taliban struck at about 10PM. They killed two US Marines, one of them a commanding officer, and they wiped out roughly 8 percent of our Harrier jet force. Harriers are no longer manufactured, so these aircraft cannot be replaced. Scratch one squadron, and now the military must reallocate aircraft to cover the deficit.

The enemy fooled all of our high-tech gadgetry with training, observation, intelligence, terrain, planning, rehearsal, and audacity, using basic military tactics that were perfected long before anyone reading this was born. Persistence and luck was also a key factor: the Taliban have attempted similar attacks at different bases in the past with poor results. The Taliban only have to be lucky once. We have to be lucky all of the time.

The Taliban destroyed six jets, damaged two more possibly beyond repair, leaving Marine VMA-211 squadron with only two aircraft, and they killed the squadron commander.

All of this by Taliban who likely never served in any military. If they did serve, they joined up, they got some good training, and then they put it to use.

Multinational Ships Get Underway for UNITAS Atlantic, Conduct Air Defense Exercise

 The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dauntless (D 33) gets underway for the annual UNITAS Atlantic Phase maritime exercise hosted by U.S. 4th Fleet and conducted in the western Caribbean Sea. Multinational ships from ten partner nations departed Naval Air Station Key West for the exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Corey Barker/Released)

By Lt. Cmdr. Corey Barker, U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

CARIBBEAN SEA (NNS) -- Naval forces from Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States departed Naval Air Station Key West Sept. 20 and conducted air defense exercises to begin the at-sea phase of the Atlantic Phase of UNITAS, an annual multinational exercise hosted by Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet.

Thirteen warships are conducting operations in the Atlantic Ocean and Western Caribbean through Sept. 28. UNITAS trains the participating forces in a variety of maritime scenarios to test command and control of forces at sea, while operating as a multinational force to provide the maximum opportunity to improve interoperability.

Shortly after departing Naval Air Station Key West, F-5N Freedom Fighter attack aircraft from VAW-111 adversary squadron tested the ship's air defense capabilities.

"This was a very important evolution as it was the first time the multinational ships were able to assemble at sea and work as a team to defend the task group from aerial threats," Capt. Ace VanWagoner, commander, Combined Task Group 138.20 said. "The adversary airplanes flew threatening approaches towards the task group and the ships were able to respond quickly and successfully defended themselves," he said.

This year's Atlantic Phase will include a live-free exercises and a Navy Standard Missile (SM-2) launch against remote control aerial targets launched from the flight deck of frigate, USS Underwood (FFG 36).

"While the overarching goal of the exercise is to develop and test command and control of forces at sea, training in this exercise will address the spectrum of maritime operations," Commander, U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris said.

"Specifically, there will be high-end warfare scenarios addressing electronic warfare, anti-air warfare and air defense, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and maritime interdiction operations," he said.

UNITAS develops and sustains relationships to improve the capacity of our partners' maritime forces. This annual exercise fosters friendly, mutual cooperation and understanding between participating navies. The participating ships have swapped crews as part of a subject matter expert exchange. USS Anzio (CG 68), the UNITAS flagship, embarked personnel from Peru, Brazil, Mexico, France and Canada.

Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Depart for Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dominique Pineiro, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- More than 4,000 Sailors and Marines assigned to the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit departed San Diego for deployment Monday, Sept. 17.

The Peleliu ARG, composed of Peleliu, amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), is commanded by Capt. Mark T. Sakaguchi, commander, Amphibious Squadron 3.

Prior to deploying, the ARG completed a myriad of workup exercises, amphibious squadron/Marine expeditionary unit integration, a composite training unit exercise and a certification exercise to prepare for deployment.

During deployment, the Peleliu ARG will be expected to accomplish a variety of missions supporting the Navy's maritime strategy including combat missions, humanitarian assistance, counter-piracy and promoting peace and stability in the regions it enters.

"We're prepared for everything, from humanitarian relief, disaster relief, maritime support operations up to full scale combat," said Sakaguchi. "Whatever the situation is our leaders give us the tasking, we'll respond."

The ships in the ARG hosted a large number of family and friends on board prior to their departure.

"This is my first deployment, and I never thought it would be so hard to leave my wife behind for so long," said Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Joshua Quinones, assigned to Peleliu. "I'm sad, but this is what I signed up for."

Chinese General: Prepare for Combat

SIX CHINESE SHIPS BREACH JAPAN’S NAVAL BORDER

From an article by Bill Gertz on The Washington Free Beacon

China’s most powerful military leader, in an unusual public statement, last week ordered military forces to prepare for combat, as Chinese warships deployed to waters near disputed islands and anti-Japan protests throughout the country turned violent.

Gen. Xu Caihou, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, considered the most senior military political commissar, said Friday that military forces should be “prepared for any possible military combat,” state run Xinhua news agency reported.

Heightened tensions over the Senkakus come as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrived in China Monday.

You can read the rest of this fascinating article on the Beacon website at
http://freebeacon.com/chinese-general-prepare-for-combat/

Iran deploys Russian-made submarine in Gulf

Iranian Kilo Class Submarine

The AP is reporting that Iran has deployed one of its Russian Kilo submarine to a southern Iranian post near the Straits of Hormuz. This was originally reported by Iranian State Television.

The Taregh-1 joined the Iranian fleet in the southern port of Bandar Abbas after it was overhauled earlier this year, according to the TV report. It's one of three Russian Kilo class submarines that Iran obtained in the early 1990s.

Tuesday's announcement came two days after U.S.-led naval exercises got under way in the waters of the Persian Gulf. They are the largest such maneuvers aimed at countering sea mines ever to take place in the region.

American officials insist the exercises, which include a symposium followed by at-sea maneuvers launching later this week, are defensive in nature and not directed at any particular country.

But the U.S.-led drills are seen as a response to Iranian warnings earlier this year it could close the strategic oil route in the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for tighter Western sanctions. Tehran has since stepped back from such threats.

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 17 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

A5F07F N482EV ---  2012-09-17 22:56:06 Boeing 747-212B United States Evergreen International 2614  38000  
AE0179 84-0140/84-0134 COUGR73 2012-09-17 22:38:13 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 458AS [KBLV]   
AE0811 00-0175 BOE75 2012-09-17 20:32:06 C-17A United States USAF | 62AW [KTCM]   
AE1EC5 166064 V115 2012-09-17 19:52:49 T-6B United States USN| TAW-5 6665  19850  
AE11E8 79-0002 SNTRY60H 2012-09-17 19:22:01 E-3B United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK]   
AE093D 01-0301 ---  2012-09-17 18:59:40 UC-35a1 United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW]   
AE04AD 99-0104 90104 2012-09-17 16:53:19 UC-35a1 United States USARC | A/2-228 AVN (TA) [KWRI ] 2051  34850  
AE0368 63-8013 ---  2012-09-17 16:34:46 KC-135R United States NH ANG | 157ARW | 133ARS [KPSM]   
AE0368 63-8013 SLUFF61 2012-09-17 16:05:03 KC-135R United States NH ANG | 157ARW | 133ARS [KPSM]   
AE07AA 59-1520 BOLT12 2012-09-17 15:44:17 KC-135T United States USAF | 6AMW | 927ARW   
AE146F 07-7177 E77177 2012-09-17 01:34:05 C-17A United States USAF | 436AW | 3AS [KDOV]   
00000A Various ---  2012-09-17 01:03:49 Various Various --- 3512  26675  
AE4EB2 168428 ---  2012-09-17 00:30:24 P-8A United States VP-30   

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 16 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

AE4E05 02 C102 2012-09-16 23:43:38 C-37A United States USCG | CGAS Washington [KDCA]   
AA90A0 N780BA 0I TI45 2012-09-16 22:17:02 B-747-409 United States Evergreen International 1527  37000  
AA90A0 N780BA GTI TI45 2012-09-16 22:17:02 B-747-409 United States Evergreen International 1527  37000  
AA90A0 N780BA GTI4532 2012-09-16 22:17:02 B-747-409 United States Evergreen International 1527  37000  
AE1198 03-3115 RULER80 2012-09-16 22:10:16 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN]   
AE4A60 166696 CNV4383 2012-09-16 21:56:37 C-40A United States USNR | VR-58 [KNIP] 7111  41000  
AE4A11 10-0??? ---  2012-09-16 20:59:41 C-12U United States ---   
AE4A0F 10-0??? ---  2012-09-16 20:39:41 C-12U United States ---   
AE016F 84-0077 SPAR721 2012-09-16 20:10:43 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]   
ADFED1 85-1263 ---  2012-09-16 19:26:58 C-12U United States OSACOMDet.56PR-ArNG [TJIG]   
ADFD09 95-0061 ---  2012-09-16 18:19:03 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
A31E95 N30SM ---  2012-09-16 17:40:20 King Air B300 United States STATE OF MISSISSIPPI   
AE1152 165992 ---  2012-09-16 17:33:55 T-6A United States USN | TW-6 [KNPA]   
AE016F 84-0077 SPAR721 2012-09-16 16:17:27 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]  
AE02CC 90-9108 VADER 08 2012-09-16 15:01:03 C-130H United States AFRC | 910AW | 757AS [KYNG]   
ADFCFA 95-0046 ---  2012-09-16 14:20:37 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
AE1146 165980 ---  2012-09-16 13:15:25 T-6A United States USN | TW-6 [KNPA]  

Armada of British naval power massing in the Gulf as Israel prepares an Iran strike

A copyrighted story by Sean Rayment, Defence Correspondent on The Telegraph website

An armada of US and British naval power is massing in the Persian Gulf in the belief that Israel is considering a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s covert nuclear weapons programme.

(The Strait of Hormuz is only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point Photo: ALAMY)

Battleships, aircraft carriers, minesweepers and submarines from 25 nations are converging on the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in an unprecedented show of force as Israel and Iran move towards the brink of war.

Western leaders are convinced that Iran will retaliate to any attack by attempting to mine or blockade the shipping lane through which passes around 18 million barrels of oil every day, approximately 35 per cent of the world’s petroleum traded by sea.

A blockade would have a catastrophic effect on the fragile economies of Britain, Europe the United States and Japan, all of which rely heavily on oil and gas supplies from the Gulf.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most congested international waterways. It is only 21 miles wide at its narrowest point and is bordered by the Iranian coast to the north and the United Arab Emirates to the south.

You can read the rest of the story by clicking here.

Air Force begins testing newest AEHF satellite

by Scott Prater, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. (AFNS) -- Following a four-month journey, the second Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite reached geosynchronous orbit Aug. 27.

The event is significant to the 4th Space Operations Squadron here because nearly 100 squadron members are now heavily involved in testing the vehicle.

The Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles will continue to hold satellite control authority of AEHF-2 during the testing phase, then transfer satellite control authority to the 14th Air Force and 4th SOPS at a later date.

"During this testing phase, some capabilities require the use of AEHF-1, a 4th SOPS asset, hence the reason for the involvement of 4th SOPS personnel," said Lt. Col. Alistair Funge, 4th SOPS director of operations. "Our engineering shop, led by Maj. Yingwai Chan, is involved in day-to-day testing, coordinating ground support system time with the 22nd Space Operations Squadron and keeping leadership informed of ongoing activities."

First Lt. Peter Lusk explained that this testing is important not only for AEHF-2, but for the Milstar/AEHF constellation in general because of AEHF's expanded communications capability and performance compared to legacy Milstar satellites.

"Advanced Extremely High Frequency-1 has been cross linked in the Milstar constellation since 2011; however, now that there is a second AEHF satellite, we can use the full capabilities of their cross links," Lusk said.

As next generation communications satellites, AEHF vehicles hold eight times the capacity of Milstar vehicles.

The testing phase will present its own obstacles and challenges, but 1st Lt. Kathleen Giegler, 4th SOPS payload engineer, explained that doing so while the satellite is on orbit represents a vital step toward gaining operational acceptance.

"It's almost impossible to test these types of satellites on the ground because of how they'll be cross linked together and how they will interact in space," Giegler said. "It promises to be a new experience for all involved. But one thing is certain, once AEHF-2 is fully operational, the survivable secure and jam resistant communications for the U.S. military and national leadership will have received a significant upgrade."

While 4th SOPS crews work with their counterparts at SMC and contractor Lockheed Martin to test the vehicle, the teams also must integrate AEHF-2 into the Milstar/AEHF constellation.

"This transition process worked well with AEHF-1 and we expect it to be just as smooth with AEHF-2," Funge said. "This way, 4th SOPS crews and engineering support staff will also get hands-on experience with AEHF-2 during these activities. Throughout the test period, 4th SOPS members will monitor the constellation using our in-band Advanced Satellite Mission Control Subsystem and Space-Ground Link System as well as perform routine and test related operations."

Four satellites are currently planned to complete the AEHF constellation. The third AEHF satellite is tentatively scheduled for launch in 2013.

Mode-S/ADS Milcom Intercepts 14 Sep 2012 - Btown NC

Here is another round of Mode-S/ADS-B intercepts logged from here on the radio ranch in WNC. All dates/times are UTC.

AE0197 84-0137 JOSA342 2012-09-14 22:37:03 C-21A United States USAF | 375AW | 457AS [KADW]   
AE4EB2 168428 ---  2012-09-14 22:35:34 P-8A United States VP-30   
ADFCE9 94-0138 ---  2012-09-14 21:31:13 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS   
AE1199 03-3116 RCH3116 2012-09-14 21:04:09 C-17A United States MS ANG | 172AW | 183AS [KJAN] 5617  37000  
AE143A 166715 ---  2012-09-14 20:40:42 UC-35D United States USMC | VMR-1 [KNKT]   
AE10D7 165521 ---  2012-09-14 20:37:30 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]   
ADFED0 85-1262 PAT1262 2012-09-14 20:37:16 C-12U United States USARMY (OSACOM Det25 TNArNG)   
A9A1FB N72J ---  2012-09-14 20:31:08 BEECH 65-A90-1 US DYNAMIC AVIATION   
A486EA 73091 ---  2012-09-14 20:11:13 Dornier 328 United States USAF | 27SOW | 524SOS [KCVS]   
ADFD05 95-0057 ---  2012-09-14 19:58:47 T-1A United States USAF | 14FTW | 48FTS 2074  28000  
AE189C 05-0932 AVLON73 2012-09-14 19:45:44 C-40C United States AFRC | 932AW | 73AS [KBLV] 3504  34000  
AE4A0F 10-0??? ---  2012-09-14 19:42:44 C-12U United States ---   
ADFC96 92-0341 ---  2012-09-14 18:41:28 T-1A United States USAF | 12FTW | 99FTS [KRND] 7116  24000  
A07FBD N131JN ---  2012-09-14 18:37:20 PC-12/45 United States USAF | 27SOW | 318SOS [KCVS]   
AE10D7 165521 ---  2012-09-14 18:32:26 T-39G United States USN | TW-6 | VT-86 [KNPA]  
AE093B 00-1052 R01052 2012-09-14 18:18:17 UC-35B United States US Army | OSACOM PATD [KADW] 5634  33000  
AE02CC 90-9108 VADER 08 2012-09-14 18:10:05 C-130H United States AFRC | 910AW | 757AS [KYNG] 5747  20000  
AE11DA 75-0560 SNTRY60H 2012-09-14 15:56:50 E-3B United States USAF | 552ACW [KTIK] 6214  29000  
ADFE95 95-0096 ---  2012-09-14 15:49:26 C-12R+ United States USARMY   
AE2F9B 168069 OTIS51 2012-09-14 15:17:47 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-252 [KNKT]   
AE04DE 57-2597 SODA81 2012-09-14 14:31:48 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]   
AE04DE 57-2597 SODA81 2012-09-14 13:29:39 KC-135R United States TN ANG | 134ARW | 151ARS [KTYS]   
AE1481 166764 OTIS52 2012-09-14 13:22:41 KC-130J United States USMC | VMGR-352 [KNKX]   
AE1363 163045 ---  2012-09-14 01:48:20 EA-6B United States USNAVY