US Marines – The Marines of Amphibious Task Force East go ashore in Kuwait.

• Virginian Pilot: 7,000 Marines aboard packed warships start heading ashore

US Marines – With the Marines aboard the USS Nassau.

• Chicago Tribune: Marines expect bloodier war with Iraq

Royal Australian Navy – The Collins-class submarines are temporarily tied up due to a flooding that occured aboard HMAS Dechaineux while she was submerged.

• AAP: Flood fears force submarines to surface

Background – US Military – Thomas Ricks takes a tour of the military, from the sands of Saudi Arabia to the waters of the Mediterranean, and from the halls of Congress to the think tanks of national security strategists and academics. He goes on to show the sources and extent of U.S. military might — and the limitations on it.

• Washington Post: Unrivaled Military Feels Strains of Unending War

US Merchant Marine – An overivew of the US Merchant Marine.

• Sea Power: Maritime

US Navy – With the Seabees in Kuwait.

• Washington Post: Seabees Get Ready To Pave Trail to Iraq

US Navy – With the Amphibious Task Force East, in Djibouti.

• Virginian Pilot: Ships’ Marines go ashore in Africa for training mission
• Virginian Pilot: Strength of ”Gator Navy” rests in speed, flexibility

Background – NATO – Desert Storm suggested that even at the climax of the Cold War, the military capabilities of Natoís European members were incommensurate with those of the United States. Another decade of insufficient defense spending in Europe has made the gap much larger. If the trend continues, Nato will become capable only of token contributions to out-of-area operations, and the United States will be without European security partners for major responsibilities in international security, especially in the Middle East and Asia.

• Naval War College Review: NATO’s European Members – Partners or Depedents

US Marines – A summary of US Marine deployments in the Gulf.

• Washington Post: Sending in the Marines

Military Sealift Command – The 101st Airborne Division’s equipment is about to set sail for the Middle East.

• Washington Times: War cargo loaded on 2 ships headed to Mideast

Royal Air Force – Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft get a new mission over London – communications relay.

• The Times: High-tech spy centre circles London at 44,000ft

Background – Iraq – Thomas Ricks on how US Special Operations Forces are already operating inside Iraq.

• Washington Post: Special Operations Units Already in Iraq

Background – Iraq – The plan to remake the Middle East.

• The New Yorker: After Iraq

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – Japan will refuel all allied ships in the Gulf.

• Asahi Shimbun: MSDF ships to expand fueling to other navies

US Navy – Life aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.

• Los Angeles Times: Carrier Aims Show of Force at Iraq

Background – Afghanistan – A slice of life of Afghanistan today, and how it appears to be descending back into chaos???

• The Atlantic: The Road to Herat

US Marines – The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard the USS Tarawa amphibious ready group, land in Kuwait.

• Reuters: More 2,000 Marines Arrive in Kuwait

US Navy – The Navy’s Mobile Security Group Two is ready to travel almost anywhere in the world to protect Navy ships and aircraft.

• Virginian Pilot: Unit intends to make sure ”Cole never happens again”

US Marines – The first concrete signs of combining Navy and Marine aviation are occuring.

• Virginian Pilot: Marine to command ship air wing in ’05

US Coast Guard – An overview of the state of the US Coast Guard today.

• Sea Power: Coast Guard

Canadian Navy – Canada will take over command of Task Force 151 in the Gulf.

• Toronto Globe and Mail: Canadian will run Persian Gulf naval task force

US Navy – Aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in the Mediterranean.

• Associated Press: Carriers Give U.S. Options for Attack

US Navy – Aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, back on station in the Gulf.

• Associated Press: Aircraft Carrier to Resume Iraq Patrols

Background – NATO – Sir John Keegan on how the fate of NATO hangs in the balance.

• Daily Telegraph: ‘Old Europe’ has gone too far this time

Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan on why many Gulf nations are not keen to see Iraq turn democratic.

• StrategyPage: Keeping Saddam Up and the Shias Down

Background – Iraq – A reasoned review of the evidence as to whether there is a connection between Al Qaeda and Iraq.

• The New Yorker: The Unknown

US Navy – Aboard the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Toledo.

• WAVY: War On Terror Changes Mission of Navy Submarines

US Navy – The Navy is moving forward with the Littoral Combat Ship.

• Reuters: U.S. Navy moving ahead with littoral combat ship

Background – NATO – Thomas Ricks on how the US may stop basing troops in Europe, and instead preposition their equipment there. Will the US move out of the “old” Europe and into the “new Europe?” A Marine is leading the way???

• Washington Post: U.S. Military in Europe May Change

Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan on the two different strategies for invading Iraq – fast versus slow.

• StrategyPage: How to Invade Iraq Like a Mongol

US Navy – Life at sea aboard the USS Constellation.

• Los Angeles Times: Persian Gulf Duty Will Be Farewell Tour for ‘Connie’

Russian Navy – Russia and NATO agree to cooperate on future submarine rescues.

• Reuters: Russia, NATO sign submarine rescue cooperation pact

Royal Australian Navy – Australia continues to defend its economic zone.

• ABC: Navy captures three Indonesian fishing boats
• Sunday Tasmanian: Australia to beef up navy presence

Background – Intelligence – William Arkin on the “wilderness of mirrors.”

• Los Angeles Times: Raw Data Rarely Produce Certainty

Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan describes the worst case scenarios for the invasion of Iraq.

• StrategyPage: Worst Things That Can Happen If Iraq is Invaded

Marine Corps – Does the Marine artillery communityís current acquisition plan best support expeditionary maneuver warfare?

• Marine Corps Gazette: Marine Artilleryís Dilemma: The Requirements-Acquisition Disconnect

US Navy – At sea, in the mess, aboard the USS Bataan.

• Virginian Pilot: ”Mess cranking” is a rite of passage at sea

US Navy – At sea, aboard the USS Nimitz.

• North County Times: USS Nimitz crew offers glimpse of life at sea

Background – Logistics – The Civil Reserve Air Fleet has been mobilized, for the second time. The first time was for Desert Storm.

• Reuters: Pentagon Mobilizes Commercial Air Fleet

Background – Airpower – James F. Dunnigan on a new possible technique – simulataneous strategic bombing strikes.

• StrategyPage: Simultaneous Strategic Bombing Strike

Background – Canada – The Canadian Forces, argues a political scientist at the University of Windsor, Ontario, are increasingly unable to operate effectively with U.S. forces or employ advanced technology. If they are to support Ottawaís internationalist policy, one service should be given priority for resourcesóand the Canadian navy is the prime candidate.

• Naval War College Review: Alongside the Best – The Future of the Canadian Forces

US Navy – The USS Kitty Hawk carrier battlegroup is ordered to the Gulf, The USS Carl Vinson battlegroup is ordered to the Western Pacific.

• Washington Post: Rumsfeld Orders Key Units to Gulf

Russian Navy – Russia will send 10 warships to the Indian Ocean this year.

• Interfax: Russia to send 10 warships to Indian Ocean in 2003

US Navy – With the USS Valley Forge in the Gulf, enforcing UN sanctions.

• CNN: U.S. sailors enforce sanctions in the Persian Gulf

US Navy – A new acting Secretary of the Navy has been named.

• Virginian Pilot: Retired Air Force general named acting Navy secretary

US Navy – An overview of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

• Sea Power: NOAA

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – Japan is considering the deployment of Aegis-equipped destroyers off of North Korea to track future ballistic missile tests.

• Reuters: Japan may deploy missile-spotting ships off N.Korea

US Navy – The information age has increased dramatically U.S. combat effectiveness. New communications links, computer-processing techniques, and miniaturized electronics have given the U.S. armed forces global connectivity, powerful sensors, and weapons with awesome precision and lethality. By more fully integrating these technical capabilities with 21st-century warriors, ForceNet will deliver the full promise of network-centric warfare.

• US Naval Institute Proceedings: ForceNet: Turning Information into Power

US Marines – An overview of the state of the US Marine Corps today.

• Sea Power: Marine Corps

Indonesian Navy – The Indonesian Navy gets tough enforcing its offshore economic zones.

• The Straits Times: Indonesian Navy fires at foreign trawler

US Navy – An overview of a number of the US Navy’s integrated combat systems for air, surface, and sub-surface warfare.

• Sea Power: Integrated Combat Systems

Background – Iraq – Thomas Friedman on what the US will need to prevail, long-term, in Iraq – the will of the American people.

• New York Times: Will the Neighbors Approve?

Background – Transformation – An insightful interview with the author of the biography of Col. John Boyd, patron saint of military transformation. You can view the 1 hour interview in RealVideo or read the transcript.

• C-SPAN Booknotes: Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War

French Navy – France has deployed the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Eastern Mediterranean. Its Super Etendards are being modified to carry JDAMs. Will it participate in operations against Iraq?

• Daily Telegraph: France talks peace but sends warships east
• International Herald Tribune: France quietly polishing its arms in case it joins U.S. in war

European Navy – A European aircraft carrier battlegroup will be kept on standby at all times for power projection. The aircaft carriers will come from the UK, France, Italy, and Spain.

• Daily Telegraph: Blair and Chirac back EU naval fighting force
• BBC: UK and France admit Iraq differences

US Navy – Aboard the USS Ashland, in the Mediterranean Sea.

• Virginian Pilot: Ships’ phones, mail often unreliable

US Navy – ???while a trio of amphibious ready groups (Kearsarge, Bataan, Saipan) transits the Suez Canal.

• Washington Post: U.S. Warships Cross Suez Canal for Gulf

US Navy – The USS Theodore Roosevelt battlegroup deploys directly from its training cruise to the Gulf.

• Associated Press: Virginia-based carrier deploys overseas, straight from Caribbean

US Navy – The Navy continues to trim its force size.

• Virginian Pilot: Navy plans to cut ships, planes by fall of 2004

US Marines – With the 7th Marine Regiment, undergoing intensive training, on the border of Iraq.

• Washington Post: Troops in Kuwait, at the Edge of War

US Marine Corps – The Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs provides an overview of the departmentís mission and vision for the future.

• Marine Corps Gazette: ManpoweróShaping Combat Power for Today and Tomorrow

US Navy – The USS Abraham Lincoln battlegroup has reentered the Gulf.

• Associated Press: 3rd U.S. Carrier Near Iraq; 4th to Come

US Navy – An overview of the state of the US Navy today.

• Sea Power: U.S. Navy Mission and Organization

Background – Technology – James F. Dunnigan reflects how in regards to high tech weapons, there is nothing much new under the sun???

• StrategyPage: Perfected Technology

Royal Navy – The HMS Ark Royal amphibious ready group has passed through the Suez Canal.

• Daily Telegraph: RAF to triple Gulf presence this week

Background – Congress – A look at the US Congress’ naval year in review.

• Sea Power: Congress

Background – Information Warfare – The potential effect of electromagnetic weapons.

• The Economist: Come fry with me

Background – Iraq – A look at what the US war plan will entail.

• The Economist: Preparing for the worst

US Navy – It was my privilege to have met CDR Laurel Clark at a NASA scientific meeting in Houston several years ago. She truely had the “Right Stuff.” She and her colleagues aboard the space shuttle Columbia who died so tragically yesterday will be missed, but never forgotten.

• Washington Post: Navy Kept Challenges Coming to Physician
• New York Times: Dr. Laurel Blair Salton Clark: After Sea and Sky Moving on to Space

Canadian Navy – Canada’s special operations unit, JTF-2, will take on maritime operations soon.

• CBC: JTF-2 plans maritime operations

Background – Iraq – The current war plan – “shock and awe???”

• New York Times: War Plan Calls for Precision Bombing Wave to Break Iraqi Army

Background – Information Warfare – The current state of development of network centric warfare.

• Aviation Week: Nascent Net-Centric War Gains Pentagon Toehold

Background – Iraq – The major problem with exile groups lies in the fact that they would have to be put in power by the United States and probably maintained there by American forces if they are to survive until a new constitutional regime can be established. With the exception of the Kurds, who cannot take over Baghdad on their own, the oppositionís leadership and organization is outside Iraq.

• Naval War College Review: Iraq the Day After – Internal Dynamics in Post-Saddam Iraq

US Navy – CINCPAC has requested the USS Carl Vinson battlegroup as a deterrent against North Korea.

• New York Times: Admiral Seeks Deterrent Force in Korea Crisis

US Navy – Life aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Austin in the Gulf.

• Virginian Pilot: Norfolk-based amphibious group patrols Persian Gulf

US Navy – Aboard some of the smaller ships in the USS Kearsarge amphibious ready group.

• Virginian Pilot: Smaller Navy ships bullied by rough seas

Background – Information War – The US military faces a bandwidth crunch.

• Wired: Military Faces Bandwidth Crunch

Background – Merchant Marine – Looking back at 2002 and forward to 2003 for the Merchant Marine.

• Sea Power: Red Sky in the Morning

US Navy – Aboard the USS Constellation, patroling the no-fly zones over Iraq.

• Virginian Pilot: Danger of ”no-fly” patrols rises
• Washington Post: On Its Last Legs, but Set to Strike First
• Los Angeles Times: U.S. Carrier Welcomes Bush’s Message

Royal Navy – The contract for the UK’s two new aircraft carriers is announced.

• BBC: BAE Systems wins carrier deal
• Daily Telegraph: BAE wins aircraft carriers contract

US Navy – The USS Nimitz battlegroup is ready to deploy.

• San Diego Channel: Officials: USS Nimitz Ready To Be Deployed

US Navy – The USS Theodore Roosevelt battlegroup is likely to be sent to the Gulf.

• Virginian Pilot: Direct deployment for Roosevelt looking more likely

Background – Force Protection – James F. Dunnigan on the difficulty of protecting troops from terrorist attacks.

• StrategyPage: Force Protection Follies

Background – Far East – Looking back at 2002 and forward to 2003 in the Pacific.

• Sea Power: Pacific Overtones and Bellicose Rhetoric

US Navy – Aboard the USS Kearsarge, passing through the Straits of Gibraltar.

• Virginian Pilot: Ships sailing toward trouble zone glad to see land near Gibraltar

US Coast Guard – The Coast Guard is sending 8 110-foot cutters to the Gulf to provide force security.

• Virginian Pilot: Coast Guard to send ships, personnel to gulf

US Navy – The USS Harry S. Truman battlegroup is exercising with Albania.

• Associated Press: U.S. Carrier in Albanian Joint Exercise

Background – NATO – Looking back at 2002 and forward to 2003 with NATO.

• Sea Power: Does NATO Still Have The Will?

US Marines – Marines from the 1st Marine Division have joined up with their equipment in Kuwait which was delivered by the maritime prepositioning squadrons in Spain and Diego Garcia.

• Washington Post: Marines Are on the Front Line, And Now So Is Their Equipment

US Navy – More pro and con on the Navy’s conversion of Trident-class ballistic missile submarines to cruise missile / special operations submarines.

• Virginian Pilot: Navy has new mission for old class of subs
• Virginian Pilot: New missile program’s cost of $3.8 billion is unwarranted, some say

Military Sealift Command – More cargo ships from the Ready Reserve Force have been activated.

• Pacific Business News: U.S. activates reserve ships for Gulf buildup

US Navy – The US is using sea lions to defend its port facilities in Bahrain.

• Gulf Daily News: Sea lions guard navy

Chilean Navy – Chile rescues British explorers whose helicopter goes down off Antarctica.

• The Times: Phone call to wife scrambles international Antarctic rescue

Background – Iraq – Thomas Ricks on how this time, General Schwarzkopf is not so convinced we should take action against Iraq???

• Washington Post: Desert Caution

Background – Middle East – Looking back at 2002 and forward to 2003 in the Middle East.

• Sea Power: A Year of War Between the Wars?

US Navy – The submarine force is being utilized at an extremely high rate.

• Virginian Pilot: Subs in high demand, force commander says

US Navy – The USS Carl Vinson battlegroup is operating off of Kauai.

• Honolulu Star Bulletin: Navy ships off Kauai prepare for war in Iraq
  

Royal Navy – The HMS Ark Royal task group is exercising off of Cyprus.

• The Times: Navy and Marines to start training in Cyprus

Background – Transformation – James Fallows continues his discussions with two authors on how to transform the US military.

• The Atlantic: The American Way of War – Part 3
• The Atlantic: Reply – Robert Coram
• The Atlantic: Reply – Donald Vandergriff

US Navy – Aboard the soon to be converted Trident-class submarine USS Florida, conducting antiterrorism exercises with SEALs.

• Associated Press: Sub, Navy SEALs run anti-terrorism drill

US Navy – Looking back at 2002 and forward to 2003 for the Navy and Marine Reserves.

• Sea Power: Reserves

Background – Wargaming – James F. Dunnigan on how wargames could be used to aid transformation???and on how bad the military’s wargames currently are.

• StrategyPage: Military Transformaton With Wargames

Background – Iraq – Thomas Friedman explains why conservatives underestimate what is involved in the successful removal of Saddam Hussein.

• New York Times: Thinking About Iraq (II)

US Navy – A summary of naval forces in and around Iraq.

• Washington Post: Invasion Forces Assemble Slowly

Background – Reserves – Does the US need to rethink its reliance on its reserve forces?

• New York Times: U.S. Military Considers Limits on Role of the Reserve Forces

Background – Nuclear Weapons – William Arkin on how nuclear weapons are being considered for use preemptively against Iraq.

• Los Angeles Times: The Nuclear Option in Iraq

Background – France – For a nation that has consistently claimed to have a civilizing mission, the French are evincing remarkable anguish at Americaís global struggle against terrorism, on behalf of civilization. They have strong points to make, but why the rage and vitriol? How can we explain this gulf between Europe and America, this widening division?

• Naval War College Review: Letter From France

Russian Navy – The Russian journalist who exposed Russia’s practice of dumping nuclear waste at sea, and was subsequently convicted of espionage, has been released from prison.

• Washington Post: Russian Journalist Convicted in Spy Case Is Freed on Parole

Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan reviews what the Iraqi war strategy would be.

• StrategyPage: Iraqi Strategy

US Coast Guard – Looking back at 2002 and forward to 2003 for the Coast Guard.

• Sea Power: Still Maritime ??? Still Military ??? Still Multimission

Malaysian Navy – Singapore and Malaysia continue their territorial dispute over Pedra Branca / Batu Puteh island.

• Agence France Press: Malaysia defiant over patrols near island

US Marine – At sea with the Marines aboard USS Kearsarge, many of whom are on their first sea voyage.

• Pilot Online: Marines learn dangers of shipboard life

US Marines – Marine Commandants Change, But Corps Values Endure.

• Sea Power: Continuing the March