Remember

"The 911 Decade" on Midrats Sunday, 5pm to 6:30pm

We have a panel discussion about more than the losses of 9-11-01 on Episode 88 The 911 Decade 09/11 by Midrats:

There are certain points in a nation's history that define a transition from one era to another. These moments are so clear that you don't realize it in retrospect - you know it the moment it happens. No one argues the fact that everything has changed; from all sides, everyone sees it. September 11th, 2001 was one of those times.

911 was not just a national moment, but a global moment.

Our military has changed, our national strategy has changed, the way we perceive the tradeoff between liberty and freedom has changed - the international order has changed.

Where was our nation and the world on September 10th 2001, and how did the events the following day bring us to where our nation is a decade later?

This Sunday join co-hosts Sal from "CDR Salamander" and EagleOne from "Eaglespeak" as they lead a panel discussion on the 911 Decade.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Randall A. Clinton

Panel members will include:

J. Michael Barrett, Partner at Diligent Innovations, Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve, and former Director, Strategy & Resources at the White House Homeland Security Council.

L. Thomas Bortmes, CAPT USN (Ret), research staff member at IDA, and former Executive Director, Office of Intelligence, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security.

James S. Robbins, Senior Editorial Writer for Foreign Affairs at the Washington Times, author, and contributing editor for National Review Online.

Claude Berube, LCDR USNR, instructor of Political Science at the United States Naval Academy, Intelligence Officer in the Navy Reserve, author, and former Senate Staff member.

Join us.

Link to Episode 88.

(Bumped)

Somali Pirates: NATO Reports Hijackings!

Reports from NATO Shipping Center All Alerts:

Alert 217 10/09/2011 06:25 1406N 04245E Pirated
---WARNING WARNING WARNING---

Alert number217 / 2011.

***This vessel has been hijacked***

At 0627 UTC / 10 SEP 11 / a merchant vessel has been hijacked by /2 skiff in position 1406N 04245E
UPDATE: New report indicates vessel is safe

Alert 216/2011 08/09/2011 19:00 1527N 05214E Pirated

at 1327Z Sep 2011 a sailing yacht has been hijacked by pirates

UPDATE: EUNAVFOR reports 1 yacht hostage rescued:

EUNAVFOR Operation Atalanta assets have today, 10 September, stopped and boarded a skiff thought to have been involved in an incident with the French Sailing Yacht (SY) TRIBAL KAT. One member of the crew from the yacht was found safe.

SPS Galicia (EUNAVFOR photo)

The SY TRIBAL KAT was located on 8 September, by the EU NAVFOR warship FGS BAYERN, who responded to a distress call from the yacht and located off the coast of Yemen. At that time and following an inspection of the yacht the crew could not be found. Today EU NAVFOR warship SPS GALICIA, with support from EU NAVFOR warship FS SURCOUF, located and trailed the skiff. SPS GALICIA then forced the skiff to stop. One of crew members was released safely and all of the suspect criminals were detained. The other crew member is believed to have been killed when the suspects boarded the yacht.

FS Surcouf (EUNAVFOR photo)

The skiff has subsequently sunk, however all persons, were safely recovered by a boarding team from SPS GALICIA. All are on board the SPS GALICIA while investigations continue to determine the facts of the incidents. During the operation the hostage was not wounded or injured all the suspect criminals were detained unharmed.

EUNAVFOR also reports locating the yacht:

On 8 September, the FGS BAYERN responded to a distress call and located a yacht off the coast of Yemen.

An inspection of the yacht found no persons on board. The whereabouts of the crew is unknown at this time.

FGS Bayern (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Mike Banzhaf)

Somali Pirates: Cost to the Sailors and Some Very Poor Shipping Practices

Very nice blog post at Sub-Standard Ships And Human Costs Of Piracy: The Case Of Captain Prem Kumar – Analysis - Neptune Maritime Security:

Irresponsible shipowners who send poorly prepared ships into piracy-prone areas must accept some share of the responsibility both for the incidence of ship hijackings off the Horn of Africa and for the associated ill-treatment of seafarers. If ransoms are not paid promptly, crews are likely to suffer more.

Read the whole thing.

The plight of most third-world crews of "sub-standard" ships held by pirates is an largely untold story. Good on Neptune Maritime Security for shining a little light on the issue.

Ports and Armed Guard Guidelines

Another nice article from Tanker Operator: "Ports should issue armed guard guidelines":

The IMO recently set out guidelines for shipowners and operators to deal with the use of armed guards, but no reference, or guidance was given to the provision of armed guards while in waters under port state control, or while ‘landed’.

Mee told the conference: “The recent hijacking in port waters in Oman and other similar attacks serves to remind us of the increasing threat posed to shipowners and operators when they are effectively under the jurisdiction of port state control. If clear guidelines for ports aren’t established either by the ports themselves, or the IMO, then the most vulnerable ports may see port calls fall.

“This threat highlights the need for greater involvement of the ports in developing clear guidelines on how security can be provided and provisioned when a vessel is in port waters,” he said.
***
“Ports, ideally under the auspices of the IMO, should move swiftly to issue guidelines illustrating how they handle armed security when they are entering or disembarking ports, as well as guidance for the storage of weaponry,” he warned.

Armed guards are not permitted to operate in territorial waters and it is down to the sovereign state to provide security while vessels wait in the anchorage area.

Nice to see people worrying about some of the stumbling blocks to providing ships with security while in port or operating in the territorial waters of sovereign states that cannot or will not provide secure anchorages or transit routes.

Shipping Entities Want UN Armed Guards on Merchant Ships in Pirate Zones

According to a report in Tanker Operator:

The Round Table of international shipping associations has called for the establishment of a United Nations force of armed military guards to tackle the current piracy crisis.

In a hard hitting letter to UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), BIMCO, INTERTANKO and INTERCARGO demanded a "bold new strategy" to curb rising levels of piracy, which have resulted in the Indian Ocean resembling "the wild west".

The letter stated: "It is now abundantly clear to shipping companies that the current situation, whereby control of the Indian Ocean has been ceded to pirates, requires a bold new strategy. To be candid, the current approach is not working."

Regretting the increasing necessity for shipping companies to employ private armed guards to protect crew and ships, the letter continued: "It seems inevitable that lawlessness ashore in Somalia will continue to breed lawlessness at sea."

The shipping industry organisations - which represent more than 90% of the world’s merchant fleet – said that they fully support the UN's long-term measures on shore aimed at helping the Somali people but were concerned that these "may take years, if not decades, to have a meaningful impact on piracy."

Old School Armed Guards for Merchant Ships

Asking the UN to bring the concept of a UN force of armed military guards to the attention of its Security Council, the letter said: "The shipping industry believes that the situation can only be reversed with a bold approach that targets the problem in manageable pieces. We believe that an important element in this approach would be the establishment of a UN Force of Armed Military Guards that can be deployed in small numbers on board merchant ships.

“This would be an innovative force in terms of UN peacekeeping activity but it would do much to stabilise the situation, to restrict the growth of unregulated, privately contracted armed security personnel and to allow those UN member states lacking maritime forces - including those in the region most immediately affected - to make a meaningful contribution in the area of counter-piracy," the letter concluded.

If the UN funds armed guards then shipping companies won't have to, unless the UN charges them for the service, which it should.

Operating under a UN charter might make some of the legal aspects of armed ship guards easier.

He hates these cans

On the President's speech on "jobs" (the main focus of which, to me, seemed to be keeping his and those of his cronies) --you can find the text of the speech in its entirety here.

It is good to remember in reading the speech that somewhere between 10% and 20% of working age citizens are out of work. The level of unemployment rises with the level the of lack of education; i.e. a higher percentage of people without high school diplomas are out of work than those with PhD's in nuclear physics or chemistry. On the other hand, 80 to 90% of Americans are employed.

The president seeks to address the needs of the 10-20% because it's some sign that some employment "compact" between workers and their employers has "eroded."

Well, erosion is caused by something - and in this case, we have laid off home building workers because the market for new housing tanked. Why did that market tank? Because the greedy home builders decided they would make more money without workers? Because of government policies that encouraged lending money to any Tom, Susie and Harry who walked into a loan office? Who caused the housing market to tank? Home construction workers are just one example  - you can fill in other jobs impacted by government policies.

The President's favorite rhetorical device is the "straw man" argument. For example, "I'm also well aware that there are many Republicans who don't believe we should raise taxes on those who are most fortunate and can best afford it. But here is what every American knows. While most people in this country struggle to make ends meet, a few of the most affluent citizens and corporations enjoy tax breaks and loopholes that nobody else gets. Right now, Warren Buffet pays a lower tax rate than his secretary - an outrage he has asked us to fix. We need a tax code where everyone gets a fair shake, and everybody pays their fair share." What this argument ignores is the almost 50% of the population who pay no income tax, due to "loopholes" passed for their benefit. Indeed, some Americans not only pay no income tax, they receive "credit" (such as the "earned income credit") that may cause them to receive a "refund" of tax they didn't pay. Is this a great country or what? And the basis for a "fair" tax system is that "you can afford it?" What's the old communist saw? "From each according to his means . . .?"

More straw men: "Now, I realize that some of you have a different theory on how to grow the economy. Some of you sincerely believe that the only solution to our economic challenges is to simply cut most government spending and eliminate most government regulations.***But what we can't do — what I won't do — is let this economic crisis be used as an excuse to wipe out the basic protections that Americans have counted on for decades. I reject the idea that we need to ask people to choose between their jobs and their safety. I reject the argument that says for the economy to grow, we have to roll back protections that ban hidden fees by credit card companies, or rules that keep our kids from being exposed to mercury, or laws that prevent the health insurance industry from shortchanging patients. I reject the idea that we have to strip away collective bargaining rights to compete in a global economy.***In fact, this larger notion that the only thing we can do to restore prosperity is just dismantle government, refund everyone's money, let everyone write their own rules, and tell everyone they're on their own — that's not who we are. That's not the story of America." Now, honestly, have you heard any rational opponent of the President demanding a choice between "jobs and safety" or rolling back "rules that keep our kids from being exposed to mercury?" Or any of the other straw men he tossed out there?

 My favorite non sequitur in the speech was this gem: "Building a world-class transportation system is part of what made us an economic superpower. And now we're going to sit back and watch China build newer airports and faster railroads? At a time when millions of unemployed construction workers could build them right here in America?" Really? Does he mean we are going to build China's "newer airports and faster railroads" right here in America? Or does he mean somehow that China's airport and railroad construction has anything at all to do with whether or not we choose to build our own newer airports and etc.?

Some where along the way, I got reminded of this scene from "The Jerk"



Navin has an excuse for his wrongly drawn conclusions, though.

Somali Pirates: A "User Pays" Bill in U.S. Congress for US Navy Anti-Piracy Action

This Gun for Hire?

Who should pay for a ship of the United States Navy coming to the aid of a non-U.S. flag merchant ship or fishing vessel or yacht? A bill introduced by New Jersey Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R) in the U.S. House of Representatives poses an answer. in H.R.2839 -- Piracy Suppression Act of 2011 (Introduced in House - IH):

SEC. 3. REIMBURSEMENT FOR ACTIONS TAKEN TO PROTECT FOREIGN-FLAGGED VESSELS FROM PIRACY.

(a) In General- Chapter 20 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
`Sec. 410. Reimbursement for actions taken to protect foreign-flagged vessels from piracy

`(a) In General- The Secretary of Defense shall, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Transportation, and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating--
`(1) determine the full cost to the United States of each action taken by the United States to protect or defend a vessel that is not documented under the laws of the United States from a pirate attack, including the cost of each action by the United States to deter such attack; and
`(2) seek reimbursement for such cost from the country under the laws of which the vessel for which protection or defense was provided is documented, which shall be credited back to the appropriations charged for such cost.
`(b) Reimbursements- Reimbursement under this section may be waived if--
`(1) such country contributes military forces to the Combined Maritime Forces' Combined Task Force-151 within 180 days of the action taken;
`(2) such country deploys military forces to the Indian Ocean or Gulf of Aden to deter, prevent, or defend vessels from pirate attack within 180 days of the action taken;
`(3) such country assists in the prosecution or detention of pirates; or
`(4) the President determines it is in the national security interest of the United States to do so.'

Emphasis added. All those flag of convenience countries better check their treasuries or mandate insurance coverage for this sort of "reimbursement."

In economic terms, this bill is designed to take care of the "free rider" problem.

The bill also proposes a government funded training program for U.S. mariners concerning piracy, including:

3) tactics for defense of a vessel, including instruction on the types, use, and limitations of security equipment;
`(4) standard rules for the use of force for self defense as developed by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating under section 912(c) of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-281; 46 U.S.C. 8107 note), including instruction on firearm safety for crewmembers of vessels carrying cargo under section 55305 of this title

And a criticism of this last provision at OpenMarket.org posing the question "Do We Really Need Government-Funded Anti-Piracy Training?":

And are we expected to believe that the maritime industry hasn’t, you know, thought to tell crew members about piracy risks? Or, even if the crews are officially kept in the dark by some sort of twisted corporate policy (they aren’t), that they haven’t bothered to look into this piracy stuff on their own? Perhaps a single Google search before leaving port (the Internet can be really, really slow on the high seas)?

North Korea: U.S. aid arrives

American Shipper reports U.S. aid arrives in North Korea: 

U.S. aid group Samaritan’s Purse this weekend managed the airlift of much-needed goods to North Korea to help victims of catastrophic flooding.
Damage reportedly has been extensive in farm regions, with 148,000 acres of land washed away or inundated. Forecasts call for continued heavy rains in the coming weeks, exacerbating the problem.
A cargo plane, which departed from Charlotte, N.C., on Friday and arrived in Pyongyang Saturday evening, carried heavy-duty plastic for temporary shelters, as well as blankets, cooking kits, hygiene items, high-capacity water filters, shovels, jerry cans, supplemental food, and medical supplies.

Update a video from Samaitan's Purse:
I wonder how much word of the "love" spoken about by the Samaritan's Purse VP actually gets to the North Koreans receiving this aid. My guess is very little or none.

South Korean aid is due to arrive next week:

The South Korean government will send the first batch of flood aid to help the North on Sept. 15.

In an official letter sent through the South Korean Red Cross, Seoul said it will send 200,000 packets of baby food.

Unless Pyongyang shows strong opposition to the idea, these items will be delivered to flood-stricken areas in the North Korean provinces of Hwanghae and Kangwon gradually, once or twice a week until mid-October.

The total amount of aid is worth W5 billion which includes items such as biscuits, instant noodles, and rice-based baby food (US$1=W1,075).

In other North Korean news - North Korea Used Black Market to Acquire Nuke Technology, IAEA Says:

Piracy Updates from ONI (to 1 Sept 11)

Map from IMB Live Piracy Map 2011

A quick walk around the world thanks to the U.S. Office of Naval Intelligence:

A. (U) NORTH AMERICA: No current incidents to report.

B. (U) CENTRAL AMERICA/CARIBBEAN: No current incidents to report.

C. (U) SOUTH AMERICA:

1. (U) ECUADOR: A chemical tanker was robbed 19 August at 0155 LT while anchored in Esmeraldas anchorage. Duty watchman noticed three robbers on the forecastle deck. One of the robbers threatened the watchman with a long knife. The watchman informed the duty officer on the bridge, who then raised the alarm. After the crew was alerted the robbers escaped with ship stores. (IMB)

2. (U) COLOMBIA: A chemical tanker experienced an attempted boarding 4 August at 0750 UTC while at anchor in position 10:19N / 075:31W, in Mamonal Inner Anchorage. Six robbers in a wooden speed boat attempted to board an anchored chemical tanker via the anchor chain. Alert duty seaman noticed the robbers, raised the alarm, and flashed lights on them. Upon seeing crew alertness, the robbers aborted the attempt and escaped. Incident was reported to the Mamonal port control who informed the coast guard. (IMB)

D. (U) ATLANTIC OCEAN AREA: No current incidents to report.

E. (U) NORTHERN EUROPE/BALTIC: No current incidents to report.

F. (U) MEDITERRANEAN/BLACK SEA: No current incidents to report.

G. (U) WEST AFRICA:

1. (U) NIGERIA: Passenger ship (MONICA EXPRESS) was boarded 27 August at 0700 UTC while underway off the coast of Nigeria. Pirates released all 150 crew members and passengers, but took the captain hostage. The ship was transiting from Cameroon to Oron, Nigeria. Seven armed pirates boarded the vessel and demanded a monthly security tax from the captain. They seized the captain after he said it had been paid already and released him a few hours later after a ransom was paid. The pirates also robbed the passengers onboard. (Open Sources)

Testing a Twitter Feed

This is a test to see if I can play in the 21st Century.

UPDATE: Seems to work on my end.

Test out.

Old Time LCS - Pegasus : Vanguard of the New Navy

Part 1 of "Pegasus : Vanguard of the New Navy"



Part 2:


Gee, it all sounds so . . . modern.

So . . . LCS.

UPDATE:

"Amateurs talk strategy. Professionals talk logistics."

Waffle House Index Measures Hurricane Recovery:

The company fully embraced its post-disaster business strategy after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Seven of its restaurants were destroyed and 100 more shut down, but those that reopened quickly were swamped with customers.

The company decided to beef up its crisis-management processes. Senior executives developed a manual for opening after a disaster, bulked up on portable generators, bought a mobile command center and gave employees key fobs with emergency contacts.

In a recent academic paper, Panos Kouvelis, a business-school professor at Washington University in St. Louis, pegged Waffle House as one of the top four companies for disaster response, with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Home Depot Inc. and Lowe's Cos.

Hmmm. Pecan waffles.





Hat tip: The Kid Sister

Sunday Ship History: The American Revolutionary War Battle the French Won at Sea - the Battle of the Virginia Capes -230 Years Ago

Battle of the Virginia Capes, 5 September 1781

At the start of the American Revolution, George Washington was aware of one great weakness of the colonists. They had no fleet. They could not cut off British troop movements by sea. They could not stop British resupply of its forces. The American's major cities were all coastal - and the British could strike them at will. Washington urged the growth of a navy to challenge control of American waters by the British fleet. As set out in The Pivot Upon Which Everything Turned: French Naval Superiority That Ensured Victory At Yorktown:

Washington did not swerve from what was to him a fundamental principle --"whatever efforts are made by the Land Armies, the Navy must have the casting vote in the present contest." He sought every opportunity to urge a true naval superiority.

The French finally did send a strong force under Admiral Francois Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse. This force, composed of 28 ships-of-the-line and 3000 troops had arrived in the Chesapeake Bay at the end of August 1781.

What followed, on September 5, 1781, off the Virgina Capes, was a sea skirmish that effectively sealed the victory of the Americans in their revolution.

To set the picture. Lord Cornwallis and his forces had left the Carolinas (after battles at Cowpens and Guilford Courthouse) and invaded Virginia. American forces and forces led by Wayne and Lafayette were in pursuit. Cornwallis headed for the peninsula on which Yorktown lay.

But, unknown to Cornwallis, a major French fleet was underway towards North America.

Recent Pirate Activity (to 3 September 2011)

Recent Pirate Attack Numbers Relate to Reports Below (NATO Shipping Center)

NATO Shipping Center reports on recent pirate activity, including attack on September 3, 2011, Alert 215:

Alert number 215 / 2011	03/09/2011 11:05	2145N	06031E	Attacked	At 0949 UTC a merchant vessel is currently under attack by 2 skiffs with 5 POB and weapons have been fired in position 21 45N 060 31E
Alert 214 / 2011	23/08/2011 06:15	13 08N	049 11E	Attacked	At 230541 AUG UTC a merchant vessel was reported under attack by 1 skiff in position 1308 N 04911 E. Skiff had 5 POB. ***This vessel managed to evade hijack*** The Pirate attack group is still in the area.

Somali Pirates: This Time Oman Stops Them

Omani maritime authorities thwart piracy attempt:

Omani naval authorities have foiled an attempt by Somali pirates to hijack a Liberian flagged vessel some 34 nautical miles southwest of the country's main container transshipment hub at Salalah.

The incident was reported on Friday, and comes less than two weeks after pirates seized a chemical tanker barely two nautical miles from the same container port in one of the most audacious attacks so close to the Omani coast. (see here)

Following that successful seizure, Oman stepped up naval patrols off its southern and southeastern seaboard, which has witnessed a surge in pirate activity in recent months.

In an official statement issued to local media, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said authorities rushed to the aid of the Liberian-flagged merchant ship on Friday when it came under attack. While the Royal Air Force of Oman scrambled a surveillance aircraft to the area, a Coast Guard vessel also sped to the site, eventually prompting the pirates to flee.

Meanwhile, in another incident also reported over the weekend, an Omani naval force regained control of a hijacked dhow that had earlier been seized off the Somali coast.

According to a security official, a patrolling warship of the Royal Navy of Oman spotted the commandeered dhow in international waters south of Salalah. Warning shots were fired, upon which the alleged pirates ditched their weapons into the sea.

Nice job, Oman.

Congratulations and now I feel older

Older son pins on gold oak leaves as a Lieutenant Commander.

Gee, it seems like yesterday when my father pinned on gold oak leaves as an Air Force major and only shortly after that I was wearing the 2 1/2 stripes myself.

Tempus fugit.

Somali Pirates: Navy Helicopters and Irregular War Against Pirates

The "Unsexy"H-60S- with sidearms

LCDR B.J. Armstrong, a U.S. Navy H-60S pilot writes about the retaking of the MV Caravos Horizon at the U.S. Naval Institute blog in The M/V Caravos Horizon: Rotorheads and the Royal Navy in Maritime Security Operations:

When it comes to the hardware involved in this successful operation, a key takeaway is the vital importance of rotary-wing aviation. Irregular operations rarely require the expensive, fast, sexy, high altitude TACAIR jets that you’ll find in Hollywood movies. They need the quiet professionals of the often overlooked naval rotary-wing community. Helicopters embarked on the ships that conduct counter-piracy operations are a force multiplier that provide the ability to respond rapidly, develop critical ISR, and finally to provide overwatch and maritime air support for boarding operations. Sending a ship on counter-piracy or irregular warfare missions without an embarked helicopter significantly degrades the unit’s capability.

Royal Navy Lynx

The rapid response by the RN Lynx to the scene allowed for the development of early situational awareness which became a key factor for success. The follow on arrival of Bay Raider allowed the ISR net to be cast further away from the attacked vessel. It was able to find two skiffs, which they believed were the suspected “sea bandits.” Our Knighthawk remained overhead briefly as a visible deterrent, and the skiffs turned away from the shipping lanes and headed off at high speed. The two aircraft together could cover hundreds of square miles and help develop situational awareness far beyond the capability of a single surface combatant. When time came for the boarding, the ability to have Bay Raider provide armed overwatch and ISR while the Lynx conducted the insertion was an important element of protecting the boarding party and helping to ensure their success.

The MH-60S Block III Armed Helo’s that now deploy with amphibious assault ships like BATAAN come in the gunship variant. These aircraft have a wide range of armament options that make it a highly capable platform. You can buy nearly a squadron of them for the cost of one Joint Strike Fighter. . . .***

Isn't always about using the right tools for the job? Even when that hammer is not the fanciest one in the tool box?

UPDATE:
2010mh-60s

Risks to Maritime Energy Supply

Chesty's Thoughts

New GAO Report, Maritime Energy Supply at Maritime Executive Magazine:

The report focuses on three issues: (1) threats of attacks to energy tankers, (2) agency responses to prior GAO recommendations to improve the response to attacks on energy tankers in a U.S. port, and (3) agency efforts to assess threats against offshore energy infrastructure such as oil rigs.

Actual GAO report found here.

The EagleSpeak Suggested Way to Reduce the Military Force

There will come a time, soon probably, that there will be a call to reduce the size of the military services (excluding the Coast Guard, which is too damn small anyway).

I offer up my thoughts on how to approach the problem in two steps:

1. Identify every member of the military* who has not received combat pay** for any of the last 10 years that we have been at war.
2. Once these people have been identified, fire them. If they are flag officers, fire them twice.

See, that wasn't so hard.

Reward the warriors.

* Who has at least 10 years service
 ** Meaning "imminent danger pay" or submarine pay and/or whatever AF missileers get.