US Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawk flew over Ukraine ADS-B transponder turned on

In an article posted on The Aviationist website by David Cenciotti, he is reporting that the U.S. Air Force’s gigantic Global Hawk drones have been flying over Ukraine for about two years. However, they recently let everyone  know they were there.

Aircraft serial number #04-2021 turned on its ADS-B transponder on October 15 using hex address AE27A7 while flying over Ukraine at 50175 feet squawking 5527.

U.S. RQ-4Bs belonging to the 9th Operations Group/Detachment 4th of the U.S. Air Force deployed to Sigonella from Beale Air Force Base, California, have been flying ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance) missions in support of EUCOM, AFRICOM and CENTCOM theater mission tasking since 2011.

You can read David's entire article at https://theaviationist.com/2016/10/18/u-s-air-force-rq-4-global-hawk-drone-flew-over-ukraine-with-transponder-turned-on-for-everyone-to-see/

USS Robert G. Bradley Preps for AFRICOM Deployment

By Ensign Joshua Cowart, USS Robert G. Bradley Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- As the end of October approaches, the guided-missile frigate USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) is bustling with final pre-deployment preparations, as the crew prepares for what will be, perhaps, the most unique deployment of their naval careers.

Bradley will depart its homeport of Mayport near the end of November for a routinely scheduled deployment to Africa Command (AFRICOM). On deployment, Bradley will conduct theater security cooperation missions to help African nations improve their security capacity. The crew will also train forces, of the many African nations they visit, in visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations. VBSS teams are tasked with boarding and securing suspect vessels, conducting searches, obtaining intelligence and detaining persons of interest. Bradley's VBSS teams will help train security forces and naval boarding teams in this vital warfare area, thus allowing African countries to deter piracy in their waters.

In addition to training, service members will participate in community relations opportunities. Bradley Sailors will help strengthen the bonds of friendship and trust between the United States and the many nations of Africa by helping communities and showing African citizens that Americans take great interest in and care about their welfare.

Cmdr. Clint Carroll, Bradley's commanding officer, recently spoke of the ship's upcoming mission, what it would entail and how it will be accomplished, during a commanding officer's call. Taking the time to answer the many questions concerning ports of call, liberty and contact with family, Carroll also reminded Sailors that the mission is vital. He explained how the crew will set the tone for relations between the United States and others. He reminded Sailors that the opinion of the world will be directly affected by Bradley's actions while on this deployment, calling on each individual Sailor to give their best.

The Sailors of Bradley are ready. Following an extremely successful pre-deployment training cycle, crew members await the opportunity to put to the test all of the skills that they have spent the year honing.

U.S. Naval Forces Europe Prepares For AFRICOM Stand Up

From Gerry J. Gilmore, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- U.S. Naval Forces Europe, an organization responsible for naval operations in much of Africa, is preparing to work with the new U.S. Africa Command, which is slated to stand up sometime in October, the naval forces' commander said here May 31.

"We hope, as they stand up, to fold into their intentions and their planning," said Adm. Henry G. Ulrich III, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe. He said his command "will adjust, as necessary" as AFRICOM becomes operational.

A U.S. Navy ship will embark on a six-month deployment to the Gulf of Guinea region this fall, part of a multinational maritime security and safety training initiative that partners with several west- and central-African countries. Ulrich said his command did the planning for the Gulf of Guinea initiative. That mission, he said, falls within "the spirit of AFRICOM and the initial operating capacity of AFRICOM."

In the past, Ulrich's command has worked with U.S. European Command, which was responsible for all mainland African nations except Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya, which now fall under U.S. Central command.

AFRICOM will eventually have responsibility for the entire continent of Africa, except Egypt and the surrounding islands.

President Bush in February directed the Defense Department to create a unified combatant command for Africa. U.S. Africa Command is to be stood up by the end of fiscal 2008.

"This new command will strengthen our security cooperation with Africa and create new opportunities to bolster the capabilities of our partners in Africa," Bush said in a White House statement dated Feb. 6. "Africa Command will enhance our efforts to bring peace and stability to the people of Africa and promote our common goals of development, health, education, democracy, and economic growth in Africa."

The Gulf of Guinea mission dovetails with U.S. Africa Command's mandate, Ulrich said.

"If you look at the direction that the Africa Command has been given and the purpose of standing up the AFRICOM, you'll see that (the Gulf of Guinea initiative) is closely aligned," the admiral said.

The African continent currently is divided among three combatant commands: U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Pacific Command. U.S. Central Command has responsibility for Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia and Kenya. U.S. European Command currently has responsibility for the rest of the nations in the African mainland. U.S. Pacific Command has responsibility for Madagascar, the Seychelles and the Indian Ocean area off the African coast.