On Midrats 28 August 2016 - Epsiode 347: Baltic Security with Bruce Acker and Dan Lynch

Please join us at 5pm (EDT) for Midrats Episode 347: Baltic Security with Bruce Acker and Dan Lynch

With a resurgent Russia, the security environment from former Soviet Republics to the traditionally neutral nations of Finland and Sweden has changed dramatically.

What are those changes and how are they changing how these nations see their place in the larger Western security infrastructure? We’re going to look at how thing are changing in how they work and see each other, NATO, and what they need to do to provide for both their and collective defense.

Our guests for the full hour will be Colonel Bruce Acker, USAF (ret) and Captain Dan Lynch, USN (Ret).

Bruce is currently a Defense Strategy Consultant in Stockholm Sweden. He spent 30 years on active duty starting as a Air Defense Weapons flight test engineer upon graduation from the Air Force Academy, and subsequently served in Space, Missile Warning, and Missile Launch operations culminating as a Minuteman ICBM squadron Commander. Following staff tours managing future Air Force and Defense Space systems programs, he broadened to political military assignments as the US Air Attaché to Malaysia and as the US Defense Attaché and Senior Defense Official in Stockholm. Col Acker has published articles on regional security issues in the Swedish Royal Academy of War Sciences journal as well as leading National daily newspapers.

Dan is currently beginning his fifth year on the maritime faculty of the Swedish Defense University in Stockholm. He spent over 35 years on active duty starting as an enlisted Marine and upon graduation from the Naval Academy selected Naval Aviation where he commanded a VP squadron and a patrol and reconnaissance wing. Following major command, he served on the staff of the US ambassador to NATO in Brussels and retired after his last tour as the Naval Attache to Stockholm.

Due to the location of our guests, the show was recorded earlier today. Listen to the show to at 5pm or pick it up later by clicking here. You can also get the show later from our iTunes page or from our Stitcher page.

Waiting for the "good" explanation

BBC News - Finland 'finds Patriot missiles' on China-bound ship:

"Fireworks"

Police are questioning the crew of the MS Thor Liberty after what were described as 69 Patriot anti-missile missiles were found aboard.

Interior Minister Paivi Rasanen said the missiles were marked "fireworks".

The MS Thor Liberty had docked in the Finnish port of Kotka after leaving Germany last week.

Dock workers became suspicious after finding explosives poorly stored on open pallets, and the missiles were then found in containers marked "fireworks".

The managing director of the ship's owner, Thorco Shipping, expressed surprise. Thomas Mikkelsen told AFP news agency from Denmark that he was unaware of the matter.

Another company official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ship had been detained in Finland and said the missiles could have been loaded on to the vessel by mistake, AFP adds.(emphasis added)

?

Now, who has "misplaced" 69 Patriot missiles and how much was earned in doing so.

And who played the double agent in this "surprise discovery?"

UPDATE: CNN reports Patriot missiles found on a ship bound for Asia were being sent legally. Belong to South Korea, they say.

Doesn't explain reported "surprise" of shipping company, labeling of "fireworks" - does it? Although, given the nature of first reports, perhaps it does . . .

Somali Pirate: Finns Take Out Pirate Dhow (in an environmentally friendly way)

Former Pirate Dhow

Reported by EUNAVFOR here:

On the afternoon of 9 April, the EU NAVFOR Finnish warship FNS POHJANMAA destroyed a dhow-typed vessel used by a suspected Pirate Action Group (PAG) to prevent it being used in any future attacks. FNS POHJANMAA disrupted the suspected PAG on Wednesday 6 April (link) and took the dhow in-tow pending further investigation. 18 suspected pirates were detained during this action.

FNS Pohjanmaa keeps fire watch

Before destroying the Dhow, some of the material considered relevant as evidence in a possible future prosecution was transferred to FNS POHJANMAA. Any material considered to be possibly dangerous to the environment was also removed. This material will be handed over for recycling at the earliest opportunity.

The 18 suspected pirates are currently detained onboard FNS POHJANMAA. Legal negotiations regarding a possible prosecution are currently on-going.

Somali Pirates: Minelayer from Finland Breaks Up Pirate Party

Finnish Defense Forces press release (in Finnish) here.

Reported as Finnish Naval Vessel Intercepts Pirates in Arabian Sea:

FNS Pohjanmaa

The Finnish minelayer Pohjanmaa intervened in suspected pirate operations in the Arabian Sea early on Wednesday morning. The pirate vessel tried to feel the scene, but the Pohjanmaa prevented its escape by firing warning shots.

The Pohjanmaa intercepted the suspected pirates about 500 kilometres south east of Oman.

An inspection brigade from the Pohjanmaa discovered materials related to maritime piracy on board the suspect vessel. Interrogation of the 18-man crew is underway.

More at Minelayer Pohjanmaa arrests suspected pirates in Atalanta operation off Oman coast:

Reports so far indicate that the seizure of the vessel took place early on Wednesday morning, some 500 kilometres south-east from Salalah in Oman.
The suspected pirates were aboard a vessel that was towing two smaller boats behind it.
***The minelayer remains on station, attempting to determine the nature of the crew-members.

BZ, Finland!

Are you (and the pirates) beginning to see a more aggressive trend in anti-pirate operations?