CVN 71/73.

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As it was during the Vietnam War era as it is now?

American aircraft carriers during normal refueling overhaul damage being found that will require time-consuming repair!

Damage I sincerely hope not the result of deliberate sabotage!

"Washington, USS John C. Stennis Partially Due to Unknown Steam Turbine Damage"

https://news.usni.orgSAM LAGRONE JULY 8, 2024.

"Extensive delays to the mid-life refueling and complex overhauls of two nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were due to damage to the steam turbines that power the ship, USNI News has learned."

"According to Naval Sea Systems Command, 'significant damage' to the generators aboard both USS George Washington (CVN-73) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) added unplanned work that was discovered after both carriers arrived at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding for maintenance."

Read what is thought to have been repeated attempts at sabotage the USS Ranger during the Vietnam War period: "Sailor Aboard 'Ranger' Charged With Sabotage"

The strange case of Patrick Chenowith:   [thanks to the wiki]

"This [deployment to Vietnam] had been delayed four months when one of the engines was disabled after Navy fireman E-3 Patrick Chenoweth was accused of dropping a heavy paint scraper into a main reduction gear, one of around two dozen acts of sabotage Ranger suffered between 7 June 1972 and 16 October 1972. Chenoweth was charged with 'sabotage in time of war", and faced 30 years imprisonment, but was acquitted by a general court-martial."

Chenowith acquitted please note!

The Washington and Stennis at a crucial period of history unable to perform mission if required to do so!

It is not that I don't believe it is so [sabotage], it is more that I don't want to believe it is so!

coolbert.

Directive.

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The Fog of War:  "In a military context, it is the uncertainty in situational awareness experienced by participants in military operations. This uncertainty arises from the lack of complete and accurate information about one’s own capability, adversary capability, and adversary intent during an engagement, operation, or campaign."  [AI generated]

Alleged use of the Hannibal Directive by the Israeli military during the Gazan War confirmed?

1. "IDF Ordered Hannibal Directive on October 7 to Prevent Hamas Taking Soldiers Captive"

From https://www.haaretz.com  |   Yaniv Kubovich   |  Jul 7, 2024 | archived.

"There was crazy hysteria, and decisions started being made without verified information': Documents and testimonies obtained by Haaretz reveal the Hannibal operational order, which directs the use of force to prevent soldiers being taken into captivity, was employed at three army facilities infiltrated by Hamas, potentially endangering civilians as well"

"Gaza Division operations and airstrikes in the first hours of October 7 were based on limited information. The first long moments after the Hamas attack was launched were chaotic. Reports were coming in, with their significance not always clear."

2. "Who Is Barak Hiram, the IDF General Who Ordered Tank Fire on a Kibbutz Home With 13 Hostages Inside?"

From www.haaretz.com/israel-news  |  Hilo Glazer  | 31/5/24.

"Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram gave the most controversial order during the October 7 battles: to fire a tank shell at a Kibbutz Be'eri house where Hamas terrorists held hostages. Conversations with people who know the daring, hawkish officer reveal a person who defies stereotypes. Is this the new face of the IDF?"

This General Barak exercising his command authority as he perceived during the events of 7 October. Friendly fire resulting in the deaths of Israeli military personnel and civilians alike. I consider this a Fog of War type incident a response to exigencies of the moment that required SOMETHING be done.

"exigency: noun - An urgent situation. A situation requiring extreme effort or attention."

General Barak I expect to be a scapegoat? The fall-guy that is going to take a lot of blame more than likely not deserved!

"Scapegoating is the practice of singling out a person or group for unmerited blame and consequent negative treatment"

coolbert.

Sahand.

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Probably a result of "hotwork"? Callous maintenance procedures and lack of safety resulting in severe damage! 

Newest and best Iranian naval vessel capsizes in port, while docked not underway.

"Iran’s Sahand Warship Capsizes"

From https://gcaptain.com | By Arsalan Shahla | July 7, 2024 | © 2024 Bloomberg L.P..

"Jul 7, 2024 (Bloomberg) –Several people were injured in an accident during repair work on Iran’s Sahand destroyer, the semi-official Fars news agency reported."  

"The incident likely occurred during repairs to Sahand’s propulsion system or its ballast tank at the southern port city of Bandar Abbas, Fars reported. Unconfirmed images posted by local media showed the 96-meter (315-foot) vessel capsized in port."

"The warship tilted and had become partially submerged, but can be refloated and repaired, according to Fars."

Resurrection of the Sahand a possible. Can be righted and make combat worthy again. But that process laborious and expensive.

Various pundits will speculate the sinking of the Sahand an obvious [?] result of Israeli sabotage?

See previous blog entries the dangers to a naval vessel while in port, docked, moored:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/06/hot-work-ii.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/06/hot-work-i.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2022/04/vandalism.html

coolbert.

Warming/Cooling.

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“It’s impossible to rest, and my friends and I have had sleepless nights, despite knowing the disadvantage that imposes on us.”

Warming tents I have heard of. Cooling tents I not have heard of.

Read and understand within context of the previous blog entry!

"Soldier goes public, reveals unlikely IDF threat"

 From https://www.israelnationalnews.com | Jul 2, 2024.

"Public appalled to hear reports from frontline soldiers."

An IDF soldier made waves after triggering a global movement . . . combatting widespread fatigue in the IDF. With the Israeli sun burning overhead, the army tents become overheated, making proper rest impossible. The frightening reality is that soldiers in battle are less than 100% alert.

"A movement was created to sponsor air-conditioning units to be installed in army tents. The public was appalled to hear about army living conditions and stepped up to give soldiers much-needed relief from the heat."

Before there was the Gazan Conflict there was the Winter War of 1940. Finnish troops an important part of their regimen able to take refuge in a warming tent. Contributing to combat effectiveness and better morale among the troops.

"Finnish Military Tents: During the Winter War, the Finnish military used heat-able shelters, known as 'half-platoon tents'. These tents were equipped with lightweight sheet metal stoves that could keep the tent warm even in extremely cold temperatures. The tents were designed to be lightweight and portable, making them easy to transport and set up in the field."  [AI generated]

This for heat, this for cold! Answer can be found!

coolbert.

Four-Square.

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Herewith a slightly edited version of a blog entry from 2014.

Thanks to the Sheldon Adelson Internet news letter:

"Redeployment serves Israel well"  

Source Israel Hayom | article by Maj. Gen. (ret.) Yaakov Amidror | 2014.

Israel having a definite advantage over Hamas. Israeli troops able to better sustain a level and tempo of combat than the Hamas combatant. That Israeli troop however not immune to needing a period of rest and resupply. 

 "The conscripted army has shouldered most of the war effort, with the reserves serving in a supportive role. The younger troops will be the ones who go into Gaza in the event of a wide-scale ground invasion. Thus, to better prepare for such a contingency, it made sense to withdraw the troops and let them rest, resupply and recharge. Israeli troops would have to be at the top of their game if they were to endure a protracted campaign."

This reminds me of a g2mil web site article from way back when.

"The Calamity of Urban Warfare"

Combat arms units at the level of battalion, regiment, able to sustain a high level and tempo of combat efficiency by using what is best called the square of four-square deployment.

"Readers must familiarize themselves with these subtopics to understand the concepts discussed in this chapter. These articles are linked within this chapter, but it may be easier to read them in advance."

     

"In the Pacific, US Marine Corps assaults into island fortifications taught them to develop a rotational system.  The basic model is the infantry battalion square; two companies forward, two behind them, with the battalion headquarters and support elements in the middle.  Two rifle companies fight and advance for 48 hours, then the two rear companies move forward to relieve them in place, fatigued troops to the rear."

Four-Square allowing for combatants:

* Eat hot food.

* Go to the toilet.

* Sleep.

Two to three days of continuous combat a maximum beyond which efficiency of a unit declines steeply. Better the four-square system to maintain an edge over the adversary. Better for the troops, better for the mission!!

coolbert.

Deterrent.

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Please keep in mind that mere registration for the military draft [conscription] and nothing more being considered at this time. I always this was mandated by law anyhow. And as applies to young men only. Induction into the military until further notice not occurring.

A deterrent for peace? A deterrent?

"Playbook for a Military Draft"

From https://original.antiwar.com | Edward Hasbrouck Posted | July 08, 2024.

"A new report released 18 June 2024 by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) provides a remarkably candid window into the flawed and dangerous thinking of military strategists who support continual 'readiness' for an on-demand military draft, even while they claim — perhaps truthfully — not to prefer a draft, even as Plan B, but only as Plan F for 'Fallback' in case of prolonged total war." 

Consider this graphic [Click on image to see an enlarged view]. Force expansion as deemed by conscription to be only implemented in case of a conflict of greater than 180 days!

"Stages of mobilization for war. Image from CNAS report based on Department of Defense mobilization plan. Note the absence of a Congressional declaration of war at any stage up to and including total military mobilization." 

"The CNAS report is intended to show supporters of the current bipartisan mainstream U.S. foreign policy and military consensus why the U.S. should step up planning and PREPARATION FOR A DRAFT [my emphasis] as a tool of deterrence. But for those outside that consensus who think current U.S. policy is already bellicose enough, especially those who assume that opposing draft registration and other steps toward readiness for a draft should be a low priority for antiwar activists because the U.S. will never again (or at least not soon) activate a draft, the CNAS report provides an important lesson in how preparedness for a draft is itself a tool of war, even in 'peacetime'."

Please keep in mind that during World War Two young American men conscripted and assigned to a brand-new divisional-sized unit requiring anywhere from eighteen to twenty-four months of training prior to deployment overseas for combat.

coolbert. 

Stationed.

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Paying close attention to the graphics. 

"Here's Where American Troops Are Stationed Overseas?"

From https://www.zerohedge.com | BY TYLER DURDEN | JUL 06, 2024. 

"With a military budget bigger than most countries’ GDPs, the U.S. military manages to station troops in nearly 170 territories, on every continent in the world."

"But which countries host the most troops? In the chart[s], Visual Capitalist's Pallavi Rao maps the territories where active duty American military personnel are stationed, according to March 2024 figures from the Defense Department."

Click on either image to see an expanded view:

Comments:

* During that era of the Cold War 300,000 American military personnel stationed West Germany.

* That American professional military man has for over a century now been able to practice his trade and craft as no other professional military man has done since the time of the Roman Empire!!

* Troops to include all military personnel of all services. Land/sea/air. U.S Marines count as a cross of land/sea/air?

* Excluding Guam, from the graphic NATO deployments ≈ 46 %. For bilateral defense treaty agreements with South Korea and Japan the number ≈ 54 % combined.

Anyone have a problem with any of this? Treaty arrangements are treaty arrangements!

coolbert.