Pretty Clear China…

Important quote from SecDef press release following meeting with President of the Philippines:

“Secretary Austin reaffirmed U.S. support of the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction, and he reiterated that the U.S.-Philippines…

NEW REPORT: America has too few merchant mariners able to serve in war, is too reliant on foreign sealift to meet military operational needs and support a wartime economy. Brent D. Sadler heritage.org/defense/report…

Interview a couple days back… issue still relevant:

No, the U.S. cannot insist on Israel ceding its security without tangible assurances. Nothing on offer from DC meets that test.

And, no mention about getting American hostages back, nor addressing the brutal massacre of over…

14 PLA aircraft and 8 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. today. 9 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan’s SW ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond.

1. This ship is 29 years old and has been ridden relentlessly in that time. 2. It has been ridden relentlessly because what it does is valued by our combatant commanders. 3. The number of ships we have like BOXER is insufficient for the demand levied on these ships by combatant…

This held up remarkably well…

Leave no rocks unturned including cyber…

No mention by NTSB of cyber intrusions as under investigation - why? This needs to be checked and explicitly ruled out:

“In the early hours of March 26, the Dali lost all power and propulsion as she approached Baltimore's Francis Scott…

Relearning Logistics

This is good to be studying now in peace… the cost will be unacceptable in crisis/war.

“Rear Adm. Phillip Sobeck said “bureaucracy took over” in what needed to go aboard “prior to deploying the ship…”

This will be MORE true in the Pacific: “The era of…

🚨Happening now: 🇨🇳PRC vessel swarm at Scarborough Shoal in the 🇵🇭 #Philippines ' exclusive economic zone. Includes at least #China Coast Guard 3106 (currently running AIS-dark) & CCG 3302 plus 10 large Qiong Sansha Yu maritime militia ships. [🧵1/2]

It has been an exceptional privilege to visit Taiwan and meet with leaders from across the spectrum.

My message here is the same: Taiwan is key but the situation is dire. Taiwan must show its grave determination to defend itself to persuade Americans to come to its defense. 1/

Sumo Trailblazer Passes

The world’s loss with the passing of Akebono. Hawaii born and first non native Japanese Sumo grand champion.

Puh-leeze say it ain't so. Puh-leeze.

Say Their Names:
Edan Alexander (19)
Omer Neutra (22)
Hersh Goldberg-Polin (23)
Sagui Dekel-Chen (35)
Keith Siegel (64)

Nothing to see here, move along

China has expanded the use of surveillance balloons near Taiwan. dailysignal.com/2024/04/09/cal… Brent D. Sadler #taiwan

Navy Shipbuilding Self Reflection… Now Action!

Jerry Hendrix’s article yesterday hits the mark wrt Navy shipbuilding. The SecNav’s 45-day review was right, now for accountability and correction.

Sadly, such things are too uncommon with regards to sub-par naval shipbuilding…

The ShinMaywa US-2 is a large Japanese short takeoff and landing amphibious aircraft that employs boundary layer control technology for enhanced STOL and stall suppression performance

[📹 nobuya0827]

Maersk ship dodges Houthi missile

MV Maersk Yorktown had two US destroyers as escort - Mason & Laboon. This appears to be a change in operations as US destroyers have been providing screening for all ships along the Yemen coast.

container-news.com/maersk-ship-do… via Container-News

Changing Chinese Military Posture…

New article out trying to raise awareness of and need to better understand what is changing in the air and waters around Taiwan.

In short, hold on tensions are not going to improve…

dailysignal.com/2024/04/09/cal…