Naval News Today
One dead in US navy chopper crash in Guam
A US navy MH60 helicopter crashed into a lake on the Pacific island of Guam, killing one crew member, the military said on Tuesday.
The incident happened during a training exercise on Monday and the navy is investigating the cause of the crash. Three surviving crew members were being treated in hospital for minor injuries. One sustained a broken arm.
U.S. military probing alleged fuel diversion to Iraq operations
The U.S. military has begun investigating an allegation that fuel provided by Japan in the Indian Ocean may have been illegally used for U.S. operations in Iraq in 2003, the commander of U.S. forces in Japan said Tuesday.
“We are specifically looking at the questions out there posed by the Japanese government,” Lt Gen Bruce Wright said, acknowledging that the U.S. military has launched the probe at the request of the Japanese government. Japanese peace group Peace Depot, citing U.S. military documents, claimed last week that the Maritime Self-Defense Force replenishment ship Tokiwa effectively provided illegal logistical support for the Iraq war by indirectly supplying fuel to the U.S. aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk.
France Offers to Send Warship Off Somalia to Deter Pirates
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said here Tuesday that his country was prepared to send a warship off Somalia to protect delivery of international food aid to beleaguered Somalis from attacks by pirates.
“France is prepared to send a warship to protect humanitarian supplies,” he told reporters after chairing a Security Council on Africa.
Piracy is common in the waters off Somalia, which has been without an effective government since the 1991 ouster of dictator Mohamed Siad Barre sparked a bloody power struggle.
“France stands ready to ensure security for the assistance provided by the World Food Program in Somalia for a period of two months using naval military resources,” the French leader told the 15-member Council. “I call on all those who wish to do so to join this initiative”.
China’s naval vessels wrap up four-nation goodwill visit
Two Chinese naval vessels sailed out of port on Tuesday after wrapping up an 87-day four-nation European tour and were heading for the Mediterranean for a joint naval exercise with France while on their way back home.
French navy willing to boost cooperation with Chinese navy
The French Navy is willing to boost cooperation with its Chinese counterpart, a senior French naval officer said Monday.
Boeing delivers first Growler aircraft to U.S. Navy
Boeing Co. delivered the first Super Hornet EA-18G aircraft to the U.S. Navy on Monday as part of a $9.2 billion contract.
Instead of carrying missiles or cannons, the so-called Super Hornet “Growler” is equipped with radar-jamming equipment and other gear to knock out a wide array of electronic devices. The aircraft will fly with teams of conventional bombers and help disrupt enemy air defenses.
“It’s essential to keep them guessing where you’re coming from,” said Navy Rear Adm. Kenneth Floyd.
The Navy will buy three Growlers to test during 2008. The aircraft are scheduled to be deployed in 2010, and the Navy has agreed to buy a total of 85 by 2013 — though the timing of the contract is flexible, said Mike Gibbons, Boeing’s program manager for the Growler project.
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Bio: I am currently a Professor of Security Studies, hold a BS in Management and an MA in National Security Studies, and am pursuing an MA in Systematic and Philosophical Theology. I've written for Navy Times, Proceedings, Armed Forces Journal and a number of blogs. As a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and Navy Reserve, I attained the rank of Commander, deployed five times for four different conflicts and served as a Foreign Area Officer and a Surface Warfare Officer. During my 7 years in the private sector, I worked in the fields of information technology and publishing, and even ran for public office once.
