Taiwanese Navy – Taiwan chases a Chinese spy ship away from its coast.

• Agence France-Presse: Taiwan chases away Chinese spy ship in south-east

US Marines – US and Royal Marines exercise together in urban warfare.

• Virginian Pilot: Marines train for risky combat field — cities
  

Background – Merchant Marine – More needs to be done to protect merchant shipping against terrorist attacks, the merchant mariners suggest naval escorts???

• The Economist: Shipping Security
• The Guardian: Seafarers want Navy escort
  

Background – South America – An outstanding, but lengthy essay on the challenges that the US faces in building strong lasting relationships with its South American allies. The insight into the true naval capabilities of some of the countries in South America is quite enlightening.

• Naval War College Review: Our Special Correspondent: Letter from South America

Royal Navy – HMS Grafton partakes in a large drugs bust in the Caribbean.

• Daily Telegraph: Axe-threat Navy’s £60m drugs haul

Canadian Navy – Canada is having difficulties maintaining its committment in the Gulf.

• Halifax Herald: Navy checking out several options for next Operation Apollo rotation
  

US Marine Corps – Operations in Afghanistan with the 1st Force Reconnaissance Company Marines of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

• Marine Corps Gazette: Force Reconnaissance Missions
  

Background – War on Terror – A reminder of the danger posed to the US by Hezbollah – and that it is bankrolled by Iran.

• The New Yorker: Party of God
  

Merchant Marine – The US now believes that it was a terrorist act that caused the explosion aboard the French supertanker off Yemen.

• CNN: U.S.: Tanker blast was terrorist act
  

US Navy – Autonomous underwater vehicles that glide through the ocean.

• Science Daily: Robots Powered By The Ocean Itself

US Navy – An interview with Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Vern Clark in which he further explains Sea Power 21.

• Sea Power: Teamwork, Flexibility, & Sustained Combat Power
  

Background – Bunker Busting – Does the US need a new family of nuclear weapons to bust bunkers? Was all that hope in thermobaric bombs misplaced?

• Popular Science:
  The bunker nightmare goes nuclear

Background – Iraq – If you did not read the Booknotes transcript of Eliot Cohen discussing his new book Supreme Command, try this brief interview instead. A look inside the mind of the man helping to shape the Bush Administration’s stategy towards Iraq.

• The Times: All the President’s Men

Royal Navy – HMS Sheffield is to be paid off early.

• Daily Telegraph: Navy signals Sheffield: You are to be paid off

US Navy – A review of the Sea Power 21 vision for the future.

• Sea Power: Special Report: Sea Power 21

Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan comments on some of the rumors swirling around planning for an invasion of Iraq.

• StrategyPage: Rumors, Rumors, we got Rumors about Iraq

US Marines – Marines exercising in Kuwait are attacked by terrorists, 1 Marine is killed.

• BBC: ‘Terrorists’ blamed for US marine attack
  

Merchant Shipping – The shipping industry begins to realize it needs to do more to protect its ships against piracy.

• Shipping Times: Security threats in Malacca Strait: cooperation urged

US Navy – The Chief of Naval Operations opines on his vision for the future of the US Navy.

• US Naval Institute Proceedings: Sea Power 21 – Projecting Decisive Joint Capabilities
  

???and finally, a personal note. Yesterday, our reseach laboratory was privileged to host a visit by Secretary of the Navy Gordon England who came to review the progress and status of our Virtual Naval Hospital digital library. It was simply a delight to spend an hour briefing the Secretary, whom we found to be a warm, intelligent and articulate individual. I can assure you the US Navy is in good hands!

• Iowa City Press Citizen: U.S. naval secretary visits UI – Hospital’s Web site draws praise
  

• Associated Press: Navy secretary visits University of Iowa
• Cedar Rapids Gazette: UI Web site wows Navy chief
• Daily Iowan: UI’s virtual hospital wows Navy
  

Merchant Marine – The US will help investigate the mysterious explosion aboard a supertanker off Yemen. The preliminary US impression is that it was not a suicide bombing incident.

• BBC: US to help tanker explosion probe
  

Royal Navy – To pay for its 2 new aircraft carriers, the Royal Navy will lose more destroyers and frigates and minehunters.

• Daily Telegraph: Navy to lose 10 ships in carriers deal

Pakistani Navy – The Chief of Pakistan’s Navy admits it is outgunned by its adversaries.

• Sify News: New Pak naval chief admits force’s falls

US Navy – An overview of US prepositioning of Army and Marine equipment, ashore and at sea.

• National Journal: Military puts war preparations in high gear

Background – Command and Control – What happened to the idea that execution authority should be delegated to the lowest possible level? Technology is unfortunately reversing this???

• Air Force: Reach Forward

Merchant Shipping – A French-flagged supertanker has been struck, possibly by a suicide craft, off Yemen and is ablaze.

• BBC: Craft ‘rammed’ Yemen oil tanker
• CNN: Yemen probes French tanker blast

US Navy – The first woman to command a US Navy warship has passed away.

• The Economist: Kathleen McGrath

US Marine Corps – The new generation of multiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES) training equipment in now online.

• Marine Corps Gazette: The New Generation of MILES

US Navy – More on the fascinating Boeing proposal to build a “Wing in Ground” aircraft to supplement containerships in the heavy-lift logistics role.

• Daily Telegraph: Biggest-ever plane will carry an army
• Boeing Frontiers: The Pelican: A Big Bird for the Long Haul

Background – War on Terror – Rick Atkinson on the parallels between the first year of World War II and the first year of the War on Terror.

• Washington Post:
  The Lessons of Global War

Background – War on Terror – John Keegan opines on the new National Security Strategy.

• Daily Telegraph: The Weight of American Empire
  

Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force – Japan releases photos of the salvaged wreck of the North Korean spy ship it sank last year.

• BBC: In pictures: Sunken ‘spy’ ship
  

Royal Navy – HMS Ark Royal is participating in an amphibious exercise in the Mediterranean, named Destined Glory 2002.

• The Independent: Ark Royal’ leads exercise as Nato shows its muscle

Royal Navy – A look at the armour and naval assests the UK may contribute to a war against Iraq.

• The Times: Britain prepares tanks for war against Saddam

US Navy – The USS Kearsarge is spending some time exercising in the Gulf of Mexico as the first stand-in mine hunter command ship since the decommissioning of the USS Inchon in June. For the exercise it will be embarking mine sweeping helicopters. Will this capability be taken to the Persian Gulf?

• Scripps Howard: Assault ship heads here

US Navy – Life aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, currently off of Afghanistan – an interview with her air wing.

• National Post: U.S. sailors wait for war just 30 hours from Iraq
• National Post: In a floating city, sailors line up for the dentist
  

US Navy – More on the status of the Pacific Fleet’s aircraft carriers.

• The Sun: Pacific Fleet carriers on alert

US Marines – US Marines will be exercising with Phillipine Marines in the Phillipines.

• INQ7: 600 US Marines in RP-US
  Talon-Vision-02 war exercise
  

History – U.S. Destroyers Contributed Mightily to the Korean War Effort.

• Sea Power: Siege, Gambit, and Scramble

US Navy – Could the US have seven carrier battlegroups in the Gulf by January 1?

• Washington Post: U.S. Bolstering Forces in Gulf

Phillipine Navy – The Phillipines will use paramilitary forces to help it claim sovereignty over part of the Spratly Islands.

• Inquirer News Service: Militiamen to secure
  RP-claimed Spratly isles
  

US Navy – Lockheed Martin Delivers the 75th Aegis Weapons System.

• Sea Power: The Importance of Being Prepared

Background – Iraq – A nice summary of the various points of view regarding an invasion of Iraq.

• The Atlantic: Iraq Considered

US Navy – 6 carrier battlegroups could be off Iraq by January 1, 2003.

• Reuters: U.S. Carrier Deployments Could Hold Iraq Key
  

Royal Navy – The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious enters the shipyard for an extended 2 year refit.

• The Herald: Illustrious docks for £100m Rosyth refit
  

US Marines – More lessons learned from Afghanistan.

• Virginian Pilot: Commanders hail successes in Afghanistan

US Navy – The SECNAV says we are still at the beginning of the war on terror.

• Virginian Pilot: Navy secretary says terrorism war will be protracted
  

Indian Navy – The Indian – US exercises have concluded.

• NewIndPress: Indo-US joint naval exercises concludes

US Navy – The Navy Dive Team saves, seals, scrapes, and salvages ships.

• Sea Power: Making the Impossible Look Easy

Royal New Zealand Navy – New Zealand is taking delivery of its Kaman SH-2G Sea Sprite helicopters.

• Stuff: Navy helicopter may not be as badly damaged as first thought

US Marines – Some lessons learned on the ground in Afghanistan.

• Knox News: Among GIs’ problems in Afghanistan: Their own stuff

History – An interview with former naval officer Peter Huchthausen who is the author of several recent books about the Soviet submarine fleet and its service disasters.

• Associated Press: Filmmakers Crave Soviet Navy History
  

Background – Leadership – Transcript of an interview with Eliot Cohen, author of the book “Supreme Command: Soldiers, Statesmen, and Leadership in Wartime.” The interview covers what are the key traits of successful wartime leaders.

• C-SPAN: Booknotes

Canadian Navy – Are the Upholder-class submarines lemons?

• Daily News: British ‘sold us lemons’ – military analyst – Military experts disagree on subs’ value
  

US Navy – The US will forward-base 3 nuclear attack submarines on Guam.

• Reuters: U.S. attack submarines moving to Guam

US Navy – The USS Ohio begins her conversion to a cruise missile equipped submarine.

• Ohio.com: Nation’s oldest Trident sub trades in nuclear arsenal

Spanish Navy – Necropsies suggest that the whales beached recently in the Canary Islands during a NATO exercise died from ear and brain trauma, possibly from sonar.

• Los Angeles Times: Sonar Tests a Likely Link to Whale Deaths

US Navy – Miscellaneous US Navy aviation news including updates on Osprey testing.

• Sea Power: Osprey Test Program Continues

Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan on what the true state of the Iraqi army is.

• StrategyPage: Iraq’s Army Aging Badly

Background – Iraq – William Arkin on how the media is overplaying Iraq’s strengths.

• Washington Post Dot Mil: Return of the Chapstick Syndrome

Royal Navy – The UK announces the purchase of 150 Joint Strike Fighters. These will be the STOVL version and will operate from the Royal Navy’s new aircraft carriers which will not be equipped initially with catapults or arresting wires, although they may be retrofitted for these if needed.

• BBC: UK to buy 150 fighter planes
  

• United Press International: Analysis: Britain to build new carriers
• Daily Telegraph: MoD orders £13bn carriers and jets

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

• San Diego Union Tribune: U.S. carrier in Gulf poised for any Iraq attack
  

Chinese Navy – Putting the Chinese Navy’s around the world cruise in perspective, several analysts give their insights into what China is up to, navally.

• Retuers: Chinese navy cruises toward modernisation

Royal Australian Navy – Fishing pirates raid Australia’s fishing zones, Australia is helpless to stop them.

• ABC: Poaching problem in Australia’s southern ocean
• Reuters: Reuters

Omani Navy – Oman and Pakistan are exercising together.

• MENL: Oman, Pakistan Launch Naval Exercise

Singaporean Navy – Singapore and Malaysia are exercising together.

• The Straits Times: Joint naval exercise

US Navy – The American military presence in Djibouti grows.

• Associated Press: U.S. Military Grows in Djibouti
  

Canadian Navy – Canada is considering leasing its future support and transport ships.

• Halifax Herald: Navy Looks at Leasing Ships

US Coast Guard – New Integrated Coast Guard Systems venture team wins largest Coast Guard procurement program ever.

• Sea Power: Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Ready to Go on Deepwater Contract

Background – Iraq – An excellent overview, by Robert Kaplan, of what would await the US in a post-Saddam Iraq. Call this the optimist’s view???

• The Atlantic: A Post-Saddam Scenario

Canadian Navy – A Canadian submarine crew – mutinies?

• Daily News: ‘Oh no, we’re not’
  Fearing for their safety, submarine crew refuses to put to sea

US Navy – The USS Abraham Lincoln and USS George Washington are the two carrier battlegroups currently in the Gulf, the USS George Washington will be replaced (or suplemented) by the USS Harry Truman battlegroup in November. Meanwhile, rumors have begun that the attack will begin in November???

• Associated Press: U.S. Forces Building Up Around Iraq
• The Sunday Times: Strike Date Set For November 28, US Sources Say

History – Did the British Admiralty play a role in undermining British seapower after World War I?

• Naval War College Review: Another Look at History

Background – Iraq – An excellent overview, by James Fallows, of what would await the US in a post-Saddam Iraq. Call this the pessimist’s view???Recommended video rental: The Three Kings

• The Atlantic: The Fifty-first State?

Taiwanese Navy – The US is said to be reconsidering its decision to not sell Aegis-equipped destroyers to Taiwan.

• Agence France-Presse: US ‘to arm Taiwan with Aegis destroyers’

US Navy – An essay that reviews why the doctrine of forward presence is a drag upon the US Navy.

• Naval War College Review: Tyranny of Forward Presence

Background – US Strategy – Is the new US National Security Strategy such a radical change afterall?

• The Economist: Unprecedented power, colliding ambitions

Canadian Navy – How Canada is patroling in the Gulf of Oman for terrorists.

• National Post: Canada has led naval search for al-Qaeda

US Navy – More on how the Chinese are upset with the mission of the Bowditch, which has returned to its port upon completion of its survey.

• Reuters: U.S. rejects Chinese criticism of naval survey
• VOA: China, US Disagree on US Navy Ship’s Mission

US Navy – A NATO exercise is being blamed for another incident of whale beachings, in the Canary Islands.

• The Guardian: Nato blamed for dead whales

US Navy – The US is experimenting with UAVs launched from submarines.

• Beyond 2000: Water Wings

Taiwanese Navy – Still no decision over what the design of the new diesel-powered submarines will be. US and Spanish designs are now being proposed.

• Washington Times: Inside the Ring

US Coast Guard – Deepwater could be the model for DOD acquisition programs.

• Sea Power: Innovation + Acquisition = Transformation

Background – War on Terror – An interesting look at the case against the “20th hijacker” – would the war on terror be better served with a plea bargin with him?

• The New Yorker: The Twentieth Man

Taiwanese Navy – Taiwan launches its first stealth patrol boat.

• Agence France-Presse: Taiwan launches first stealth boat

Indian Navy – The Indian – US naval exercise, Exercise Malabar, has commenced.

• Rediff: Indo-US naval exercise commences

Canadian Navy – The editor of Jane’s Fighting Ships still thinks Canada got a deal on the Upholder-class submarines.

• Halifax Herald: Substantial upside
• Halifax Herald: Sub’s credibilty has taken a dive

US Navy – More on the travails of the oceanographic survey ship USNS Bowditch, with the Chinese in the Yellow Sea.

• Agence France-Presse: US Navy denies collision

US Navy – The Ready Reserve Force cargo ships are being checked to ensure they are ready if needed for use against Iraq.

• Baltimore Sun: America’s mothballed ships prepared for sea

US Navy – Ward Carroll on the disgraceful way Commander Bob Stumpf was treated by his country, and why justice still needs to be done.

• US Naval Institute Proceedings: Justice Still Not Served in Bob Stumpf’s Case

Background – Iraq – John Keegan on why the “light option” may not be the best way to attack Iraq.

• The Daily Telegraph: Heavy risk of the ‘light’ solution to Desert Storm II

Canadian Navy – Life aboard the frigate HMCS St. John’s, in the Gulf of Oman.

• National Post: Canada’s sailors gird for battle
  

Taiwanese Navy – Taiwan is still reluctant to buy the Kidd-class destroyers from the US.

• Reuters: U.S. Urges Taiwan Buy Kidd-Class Destroyers

US Marines – US Marines are exercising in Kuwait in Exercise Eager Mace.

• San Diego Union Tribune: Marines go to Kuwait for war game

Royal Navy – The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is augmenting its strategic sealift fleet.

• Reuters: Britain boosts military sealift capability with new ships

US Navy – More bulking-up of US strategic sealift capabilities.

• Reuters: Danish shipping line grows fleet for U.S. -report

US Navy – Interview with Real Adm. Donald P. Loren, Deputy Director for Surface Ships, Surface Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations.

• Sea Power: Exciting Times for the Surface Navy
  

Background – Private Submarines – A market is developing for privately owned submarines, for recreational purposes???

• The Economist: Luxury submarines:
  One-downmanship

US Marines – Why the MV-22 program needs to succeed.

• Washington Times: The next Crusader

US Navy – The US is preparing the Nimitz, Constellation, and Vinson carrier battlegroups so they can be ready to deploy early if necessary.

• New York Times: U.S. setting forces in motion to prepare for attack on Iraq

US Navy – The US Navy needs to substantially increase its budget for aircraft maintainence.

• Aviation Week: Navy Wants 23% Budget Increase For Aircraft Depot Maintenance

US Navy – The US Navy is accused by the Department of Defense of deploying weapon systems that have not passed operational tests, including the JSOW and some subsystems of the Super Hornet.

• Associated Press: Pentagon tester questions Navy’s use of 5 systems
  

• Reuters: Pentagon official says U.S. Navy arms tests insufficient

US Marine Corps – Is seabasing a viable concept for the Marine Corps?

• Marine Corps Gazette: Marine Corps Warfighting Lab Looks at Seabasing
  

Background – Iraq – The state of Iraq’s biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons programs, according to an official British Government statement issued yesterday.

• BBC: Iraq weapons dossier at-a-glance

Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan on what it will take in terms of personnel and money to occupy Iraq.

• Strategy Page: Paying for the Iraqi Occupation Force

Background – Caspian Sea – Russia and Azerbaijan agree on borders in the Caspian Sea.

• Radio Free Europe: Caspian: Russia, Azerbaijan Sign Agreement On Sea Boundaries

US Marines – The fight to save the MV-22 Osprey continues???

• Aviation Week: V-22 Tweaks Eyed
  Despite Uncertainties
  

Russian Navy – More about the depth of the environmental disaster that Russia’s nuclear submarine fleet poses???

• Environmental News Service: Russia Struggles with Post-Soviet Nuclear Legacy

US Navy – How the loss of the Vieques training range is spurring the US to create innovative replacements.

• Virginian Pilot: Technology may be key for new Navy training

Chinese Navy – A Chinese task force completes its circumnavigation of the globe.

• The Straits Times: China naval ships end world voyage

US Navy – The US is exploring ways to send the USS John Stennis battlegroup back to the Gulf much sooner than would be expected.

• Associated Press: Navy looks to speed up readiness for San Diego-based carrier
  

NAVINT – Anthony Preston’s summary of naval news from abroad including news on the navies of France, United Kingdom, Russia, and Thailand.

• Sea Power: Naval Aspects of the Farnborough Air Show

US Navy – The USS Bowditch, a Navy ocean survey ship that is currently conducting research work off the coast of northern China in the Yellow Sea, is being harrassed by Chinese forces. It’s mission is to assert the US Navy’s right to freedom of navigation in international waters.

• Washington Times: Inside the Ring

US Navy – A description of the types of mission being performed by US Navy SEALS in Afghanistan, and how the SOF-centric nature of the war on terror is changing the command and control structure for special forces.

• San Diego Union Tribune: Commandos calling the shots
  

US Navy – The US is decommisioning all of its Sprunance-class destroyers.

• San Diego Union Tribune: Destroyer destined for Navy’s mothball fleet
  

Canadian Navy – Canada’s commando unit JTF2 is being trained to handle maritime missions.

• Ottawa Citizen: JTF2 readies for naval battle
  

Royal Australian Navy – A new way to protect against magnetic mines.

• Sydney Morning Herald: One way to avoid being a ship magnet
  

Background – Iraq – Thomas Ricks describes the current war plan against Iraq and how it will target Saddam Hussein’s leadership.

• Washington Post: War Plans Target Hussein Power Base

Background – War Gaming – Another look at how Millenium Challenge robbed US forces of useful lessons.

• Washington Post: Military Overkill Defeats Virtual War
  

NOSI will not be updated again until next Monday. So, I’ve added some additional reading material today to tide you over the weekend.

US Navy – The USS Nimitz is taking a port call in Victoria, Canada.

• Toronto Globe and Mail: Huge U.S. warship anchors off Victoria
  

Background – Iraq – William Arkin describes the important role that JDAM will play in a war with Iraq???and how the current shortage of JDAMs will affect war planning.

• Washington Post Dot Mil: The Smart Bomb That Is Shaping U.S. Iraq Strategy
  

Background – Iraq – James F. Dunnigan on what an attack on Iraq may look like???and what tricks the US may try.

• Strategy Page: Invading Iraq, When and How

History – Two interesting essays that debate: is America the new Roman Empire or the new British Empire — and what role does the US Navy play in this empire?

• The Guardian: Rome, AD ??? Rome, DC?
  

• The Guardian: What Britannia taught Bush
  

US Marines – A fascinating series of 4 articles by a US Army officer that uses military science fiction novels to try to discern what the army of the future should look like, in an organizational sense. Substitute “Marine Corps” for army, and you’ll enjoy the articles even more. Seems that the author feels the US Army should be organized more along the lines of the British army’s regimental system???how could the Marines be organized along this system as well?

• Strategy Page: Military Science Fiction and the Army Transformation

Background – Army Transformation – A detailed look at the organization and firepower of the new US Army Interim Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) – what their flaws are and how they can be improved. The lessons learned here are certainly applicable to US Marine infantry units, which like the IBCTs can be seen to be a form of motorized infantry.

• StrategyPage: The Evolution and Relative Effectiveness of the Interim Brigade Combat Team
• StrategyPage: Medium Brigade Flaws, and the Cure: The IBCT Revisited

???see you on Monday with more naval news???

Military Sealift Command – More shipping is being sought to carry supplies to the Gulf.

• Reuters: U.S. Seeks to Ship More Military Hardware to Gulf
  

US Navy – The amphibious assault ship USS Belleau Wood is stationed off the Horn of Africa, ready to assist special operations forces operations in Yemen and Somalia — in effect reprising the role that the USS Kitty Hawk played last year.

• Washington Post: Pentagon Plans Shift in War on Terror

Royal Navy – The British base at Diego Garcia will be modified to allow the permanent basing of B-2 aircraft.

• BBC: UK island to house stealth bombers

Background – Wargaming – The US says Millenium Challenge showed the power of effects-based operations.

• Virginian Pilot: Military
  Generals say war game blazed new trails
  

• Washington Post: Criticism of War Game Rejected

US Navy – How the US Navy’s submarine force is a transformational force.

• Sea Power: The Leading Edge of Transformation

Background – Iraq – Victor Davis Hanson on how the US must be patient but resolute about taking care of Saddam.

• Wall Street Journal: Finish the War

Russian Navy – Decommissioned and decaying Russian submarines pose a severe environmental hazard.

• The Guardian: Russia says its rusting fleet could poison Arctic
  

• Associated Press: Nuclear Official Frets Over Spent Sub Fuel
  

US Navy – Fleet Battle Experiment-Juliet was the US Navy’s part of Millenium Challenge 02. One of the key focus areas was to assess and evaluate the potential for very fast, small platforms to undertake a variety of missions using modular sensor and weapon suites.

• Jane’s: Fast forward to the future

Background – Satellite Reconaissane – A nice concise summary of US overhead imagery and signals intelligence assets.

• Armed Forces Journal International ISR: Space-Based Surveillance

Background – Iraq – More on battlefield preparation, including increased naval traffic through Gibraltar.

• Daily Telegraph: US admits change of targets in Iraq no-fly zone

Canadian Navy – The frigate HMCS Winnipeg deploys for the Gulf.

• Canadian Press: HMCS Winnipeg leaves to join Operation Apollo in Arabian Gulf
  

South Korean Navy – South Korea is constructing two amphibious landing ships.

• JoongAngIlbo: Navy will purchase two landing ships

US Navy – A design for a new unmanned underwater vehicle.

• Popular Science: A prototype UUV points the way to a stealthier submarine technology.

Background – Iraq – William Arkin on why war with Iraq is inevitable.

• Los Angeles Times: Why a War With Iraq Is Inevitable