Russian Naval Drills in the Atlantic Raise Global Tensions

Written: Wednesday, June 11, 2024

On Tuesday, Russia’s defense ministry announced that a flotilla of Russian warships, including some of its most advanced naval vessels, is currently conducting high-precision weapon drills in the Atlantic Ocean. This move has placed the United States on high alert due to the strategic and potentially provocative nature of the exercises.

Among the ships involved in the drills is the Admiral Gorshkov, Russia’s most modern frigate and a carrier of hypersonic missiles. Accompanying it is the Kazan, a nuclear-powered submarine, along with two additional support vessels. These warships are en route to Havana, Cuba, and their journey includes a passage within 25 miles of the United States coastline, adding to the tension.

Military Exercises and Strategic Significance

The exercises conducted by these vessels are notably significant. The drills involve hitting targets from over 370 miles away, showcasing Russia’s advanced military capabilities. The Admiral Gorshkov, in particular, is equipped with Zircon hypersonic missiles. These missiles can travel nine times the speed of sound and have a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). Designed to arm Russian cruisers, frigates, and submarines, the Zircon missiles are capable of striking both enemy ships and ground targets, potentially penetrating any current anti-missile defenses.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has promoted the Zircon as a formidable weapon that significantly enhances Russia’s strategic deterrence. The current drills included computer simulations of missile strikes on enemy ships, underscoring the precision and lethality of these advanced weapons.

Historical and Geopolitical Context

The timing and location of these drills evoke memories of the Cold War, particularly the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the U.S. and the USSR came perilously close to nuclear conflict. The present-day maneuvers occur against the backdrop of heightened tensions between Russia and the West over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The presence of Russian warships so close to U.S. territorial waters is seen as a display of power and a direct challenge to Western influence.

Russia’s decision to send its warships to the Caribbean is part of a broader strategy to project power and assert its presence in regions historically dominated by the U.S. The Cuban Foreign Ministry has described the visit as a reflection of “historically friendly relations” between Russia and Cuba, emphasizing that the vessels do not carry nuclear weapons and pose no threat to the region. The Russian ships will be docked in Havana from Wednesday until June 17.

U.S. and International Response

The U.S. has been closely monitoring the movement of these Russian warships and aircraft, aware of their potential strategic implications. This development follows a stern warning from President Putin that Russia could supply advanced weapons to adversaries of the West if Ukraine’s Western allies continue to support Kyiv with arms capable of striking deep into Russian territory.

While it is not unprecedented for Russia to send its warships to the Caribbean, this particular visit, given the current geopolitical climate, carries significant symbolic and practical weight. It signals Russia’s willingness to extend its military reach and influence far beyond its immediate geographical region.

Conclusion

The Russian naval drills in the Atlantic serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing and deepening geopolitical rivalries between major world powers. As these warships approach Havana, the global community watches closely, aware that such maneuvers, reminiscent of the Cold War era, could have far-reaching consequences for international security and stability. The coming days will be critical in determining how this display of military might influences the already strained relations between Russia and the Western world.

2024 Army Summit: Key Discussions on Innovation and Defense Strategies

Friday, June 14, 2024

The Potomac Officers Club is gearing up to host its highly anticipated 2024 Army Summit on June 13. This annual event is a pivotal gathering for top Army officials, defense experts, and industry leaders, providing a vital platform to address the Army’s most significant challenges, opportunities, strategies, and initiatives. Attendees can look forward to an engaging day filled with keynote addresses, panel discussions, and opportunities for collaboration.

Keynote Speakers

Doug Bush
The summit will kick off with an opening keynote address by The Honorable Doug Bush, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology. Bush, who also serves as the Army Acquisition Executive, will discuss the Army’s recent advancements and ongoing involvement in the Pentagon’s Replicator program. His insights are highly anticipated following last year’s focus on the Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon.

Young Bang
Following Bush, Young Bang, a 2024 Wash100 Award winner and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology, will participate in a fireside chat with Dan Ford, CEO of Capgemini Government Solutions. Bang, an advocate for the integration of artificial intelligence in Army initiatives, will share his vision for leveraging AI to enhance operational capabilities.

Michael Monteleone
The third keynote will be delivered by Michael Monteleone, Director of the Army Futures Command’s Assured Positioning, Navigation, and Timing/Space Cross Functional Team. Monteleone will discuss innovative alternatives to GPS satellites, such as quantum sensors and magnetic navigation, to provide reliable positioning, navigation, and timing signals across multiple domains.

Leonel Garciga
Army CIO Leonel Garciga will close out the summit with a fireside chat moderated by Josh Jackson, EVP of SAIC’s Army business unit. Garciga, a key figure in modernizing Army information technology since taking on the CIO role in June 2023, will provide insights into the future of Army IT infrastructure and digital transformation.

Panel Discussions

Joint and Combined Integrated Air and Missile Defense in the Face of Evolving Threat Environments
This panel will address the rapidly growing threats from unmanned aerial systems, hypersonic weapons, and cruise missiles. Speakers include Col. Anthony Behrens, Col. Glenn Henke, and Dr. Tom Karako, moderated by Larry Barisciano of Leidos.

Software Development Driving Advancement for Army Missions
Panelists will discuss the future of software development in the Army and the integration of software factory practices to maximize mission effectiveness. Featured speakers include Col. Vito Errico, Cpt. Grayson Gordon, Maj. Michael Krogh, and moderator Kevin Long from Highlight Technologies.

How Do We Accelerate Speed of Development to Speed of Decision
This conversation will focus on enhancing the speed of modernization, development, training, maneuver, and decision-making. Speakers include Clif Basnight, Dr. Don Reago, Mark Kitz, and Nicholaus Saacks, moderated by Bob Ritchie of SAIC.

Harnessing Technology for Force Readiness in Multi-domain Environments
This panel will explore how technology is being utilized to prepare the Army for future conflicts. Participants include Rodney Davis, Col. Bettye Dufour, Dr. Andrew Midzak, and moderator Lisa Mitnick from Capgemini.

Accepting Risk in Leveraging AI at the Pace of Need
Experts will discuss the balance between leveraging AI capabilities and mitigating associated risks. Speakers include Dr. Peter Beling, Brandi Szczesny, Dr. Jon Roginski, and moderator Ray Ali from LMI.

Emerging Approaches to Digital Data and Artificial Intelligence in the Army: The Way Forward
This discussion will examine the Army’s approach to AI and data, featuring Ki Lee from Booz Allen and moderator Matt Beran from Appian.

Collaboration and Innovation

The 2024 Army Summit promises to be an invaluable opportunity for government and GovCon executives to build closer partnerships, share insights, and collaborate on strategies to address the evolving challenges faced by the Army. With a focus on innovation and technological advancement, the summit aims to drive the Army’s mission success and readiness for future conflicts.

Attendees can expect a full day of thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and the forging of strategic alliances that will shape the future of Army operations and capabilities. The Potomac Officers Club’s annual event continues to serve as a cornerstone for fostering collaboration and advancing the Army’s strategic goals.

USNS Burlington to Lead Continuing Promise 2024 Mission in the U.S. Southern Command Area

June 11, 2024

MAYPORT, Fla. – The U.S. Navy expeditionary fast transport USNS Burlington (T-EPF 10) is set to deploy this July and August to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Continuing Promise 2024 mission. This deployment follows several months of detailed planning and will see the USNS Burlington visit Jamaica, Costa Rica, Honduras, Colombia, and Panama during the nearly two-month-long mission.

Continuing Promise 2024 marks the 14th mission to the region since 2007 and the second aboard USNS Burlington. The mission aims to foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships, and establish new ones among countries, non-government organizations, and international organizations.

Mission Focus and Medical Outreach

During each mission stop, the focus will be on working alongside partner nation medical personnel to provide direct patient care and technical expertise in community clinics. This collaboration is designed to improve medical readiness, strengthen partnerships, and enhance the combined capabilities of the U.S. Navy and partner nations to respond to public health disasters and humanitarian crises.

The medical team consists of 30 U.S. Navy professionals, including general practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, radiologists, dentists, optometrists, and biomedical technicians from Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) locations in Portsmouth, Jacksonville, Great Lakes, Pensacola, and Camp Lejeune, as well as from the Naval Medicine Readiness and Logistics Command.

“During Continuing Promise 2024, we’re working side-by-side and step-by-step with our partners,” said Rear Adm. Jim Aiken, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Commander. “Our investment into the region is our enduring relationships, and we are committed to ensuring improved interoperability and collaborative regional security together. We gain so much by this opportunity to serve alongside true professionals.”

Broader Collaborative Efforts

In addition to the medical outreach, the Continuing Promise team includes a U.S. Army veterinary team from the 248th Medical Detachment (Veterinary Service Support), which will collaborate with host nation colleagues to provide public health education and animal care at local veterinary organizations. U.S. Navy Seabees from Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 1 will assist in community engineering projects led by host nations.

Moreover, U.S. Navy experts will host seminars and training exercises with host nation civilian officials and military professionals, covering disaster preparedness and response. These exchanges are designed to support host nation facilities, improve readiness, and empower local and national officials to act confidently during emergencies.

“Actions certainly speak louder than words and Continuing Promise 2024 will certainly demonstrate that,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Scott Maloney, Continuing Promise 2024 mission commander. “It is a way for us to collaborate and work alongside our partners in the Caribbean, Central and South America and make a positive impact in local communities at each stop.”

Women, Peace, and Security Initiative

Continuing Promise will also continue its series of seminars on the prevention of gender-based violence in support of the mission’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiative. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, acknowledging that women are more adversely impacted by conflict and crisis and emphasizing the importance of including women in security planning.

Cultural Exchange through Music

Adding to the mission’s cultural diplomacy, the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, “Uncharted Waters,” will embark on USNS Burlington. The band will conduct classes at community schools, collaborate with military and civilian musical organizations in partner nations, and entertain local communities with concerts at each mission stop. This cultural exchange aims to strengthen community ties and foster goodwill.

Operational Details of USNS Burlington

The USNS Burlington is an expeditionary fast transport (EPF) operated by Military Sealift Command and crewed by 26 Civil Service Mariners led by Ship Master, Capt. Tyler Driscoll. The vessel is a shallow draft, all-aluminum, commercial-based catamaran capable of regional transport of personnel and cargo. It provides high-speed sealift mobility with inherent cargo handling capability and agility to achieve positional advantage over operational distances. The Burlington will serve as the logistics and command hub for the Continuing Promise mission, bringing the necessary personnel, equipment, and supplies to support the operation.

The deployment of USNS Burlington for Continuing Promise 2024 underscores the U.S. Navy’s commitment to fostering international partnerships, enhancing medical and disaster response capabilities, and promoting peace and security in the region.