REMEMBER EVERYONE DEPLOYED!!
Connecticut Veterans Bulletin: Honoring Sacrifice on RED FRIDAY
As the weekend approaches, Connecticut Veterans Bulletin extends a heartfelt salute to all our service members, past and present, on this RED FRIDAY, March 22, 2024.
RED FRIDAY stands for “Remember Everyone Deployed,” a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform who are currently serving overseas. It’s a day to show our unwavering support and gratitude for their dedication to duty and service to our nation.
For those deployed, each day brings unique challenges and sacrifices, often far away from the comfort of home and loved ones. RED FRIDAY serves as a symbol of solidarity, reminding them that they are not forgotten, and their sacrifices are deeply appreciated by a grateful nation.
As citizens, it’s our duty to honor and support our troops, not just on RED FRIDAY, but every day. Whether it’s sending care packages, writing letters, or simply saying thank you, every act of kindness makes a difference in the lives of our service members.
Connecticut is home to a proud tradition of military service, with countless veterans who have answered the call of duty with courage and honor. Today, we stand united in honoring their legacy and supporting those who continue to serve.
On this RED FRIDAY, let us all take a moment to pause and reflect on the selfless sacrifices made by our service members and their families. Let us keep them in our thoughts and prayers, and let us recommit ourselves to supporting them in any way we can.
To all our deployed service members, know that you are not alone. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed, and your courage inspires us all. We are forever grateful for your service and dedication to our nation.
Connecticut Veterans Bulletin encourages everyone to wear red today as a symbol of solidarity and support for our deployed troops. Together, let us honor their sacrifice and keep them in our hearts until they return home safely.
Remember Everyone Deployed. RED FRIDAY, March 22, 2024. Honor, Respect, Support.
U.S. Prepared for Possible Haiti Deployment, but Not Actively Considering, Says General Laura Richardson
In a recent address at the Atlantic Council, Gen. Laura Richardson, commander of U.S. Southern Command, stated that the United States stands ready to deploy troops to Haiti as part of a multinational effort if the crisis escalates. While emphasizing that such a move is not currently under active consideration, she affirmed the readiness of U.S. forces to support if called upon by the State Department and Department of Defense.
The situation in Haiti has reached a critical juncture, with the government facing severe challenges amid the presence of armed groups that have hindered the return of Ariel Henry, the country’s recognized leader. With Haiti’s political landscape in disarray, Pentagon officials are weighing the option of using Guantanamo Bay to accommodate Haitian refugees in the event of further deterioration.
Ariel Henry recently announced his intention to step down and transfer power to a transitional council composed of key stakeholders from Haitian civil society and political factions. However, one contentious condition for participation in this council is the endorsement of an international intervention to restore stability in Haiti.
In contrast, a separate transition effort led by former paramilitary leader Guy Philippe opposes foreign intervention but lacks significant support from Western nations. While the U.S. remains supportive of a United Nations intervention led by Kenya, it refrains from suggesting direct American military involvement, mindful of the complex history of U.S. interference in Haitian politics.
The UN intervention, however, faces its own challenges, including legal hurdles in Kenya and logistical obstacles in Haiti. Concerns persist over the potential for civilian casualties and the effectiveness of military operations against entrenched armed groups.
As the debate over foreign intervention continues, Haiti grapples with escalating violence, widespread displacement, and alarming levels of food insecurity. The crisis is attributed to years of corruption, weak governance, and a history of accommodating armed groups by Haitian authorities.
Jake Johnston of the Center for Economic and Policy Research advocates for a minimal foreign influence in resolving Haiti’s crisis, emphasizing the need for Haitians to determine their own future. He highlights the detrimental effects of past foreign interventions and underscores the importance of allowing local processes to unfold organically.
In the face of Haiti’s multifaceted crisis, the international community faces a delicate balancing act between supporting stability and respecting Haiti’s sovereignty. As efforts to address the crisis continue, the hope remains for a Haitian-led resolution with minimal external interference, guided by the principles of self-determination and respect for sovereignty.
U.S. Considers Port Construction on Philippine Island Amidst Rising Tensions with China
In a strategic move amidst escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, the United States military is exploring the possibility of constructing a new port on Batan Island, Philippines, located near Taiwan. The proposed port, to be situated at Basco on Batan Island, aims to enhance maritime capabilities and provide logistical support in times of crisis, including disaster response.
According to Philippine officials, American military personnel are scheduled to visit Batan Island next month to discuss the potential construction of the U.S.-funded port. Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad, a spokesman for the Philippine navy, emphasized the importance of preparedness across various conflict scenarios, from peace to wartime, highlighting the strategic significance of the proposed port.
Batan Island, part of Batanes Province, lies adjacent to the Bashi Channel, a vital waterway linking the Western Pacific to the South China Sea, where China has territorial disputes with neighboring countries. The proximity of Batan Island to Taiwan adds another layer of strategic importance, given Chinese President Xi Jinping’s stated intent to reunite Taiwan with mainland China, by force if necessary.
The announcement of the port project comes amidst ongoing tensions between the U.S. and China, with Washington viewing Beijing’s assertive actions in the region with growing concern. Grant Newsham, a retired Marine colonel and senior researcher, asserts that the port project is a response to Chinese aggression, aimed at bolstering regional security and countering potential threats.
Newsham emphasizes the necessity for the new port to accommodate both U.S. and Philippine naval vessels, underscoring the importance of adequate infrastructure and support facilities. Additionally, he highlights the strategic advantage of having anti-ship missiles deployed on Batan Island, which could significantly deter Chinese naval maneuvers near Taiwan.
The proposed port project represents a significant development in the geopolitical landscape of the Asia-Pacific region, with implications for regional security dynamics. As the U.S. and its allies navigate complex strategic challenges posed by China’s assertive behavior, initiatives such as the Batan Island port underscore the importance of enhancing maritime capabilities and bolstering deterrence measures to maintain stability in the region.
U.S. and Norwegian Troops Conduct Joint Arctic Exercise in Northern Norway
In a display of transatlantic cooperation and readiness, paratroopers from the 11th Airborne Division executed a precision over-the-pole direct delivery into Norway as part of the Arctic Shock 24 exercise on March 18, 2024. This joint exercise, conducted in northern Norway from March 18 to 22, 2024, aims to support the National Strategy for the Arctic Region and strengthen U.S. and Norwegian military capabilities in the region.
Arctic Shock 24 brings together approximately 130 U.S. soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division and around 100 soldiers from the Norwegian Armed Forces. The exercise focuses on enhancing multi-combatant command capabilities and fostering interoperability between U.S. and Norwegian forces, crucial elements for effective joint operations in Arctic environments.
Colonel Jimmy Howell, Brigade Commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), emphasized the unique role of the 11th Airborne Division as the Army’s only arctic airborne brigade. He underscored the brigade’s capability to deploy swiftly and effectively across diverse regions, including Alaska, the Indo-Pacific, the Arctic, and Europe, highlighting their unparalleled readiness for a wide range of operational scenarios.
Following the successful airborne insertion, the remainder of the Arctic Shock 24 exercise will focus on field training exercises geared towards honing cold-weather skills. These exercises demonstrate the U.S. commitment to defending the High North and reinforce the strong partnership between the United States and its NATO ally, Norway, in safeguarding the region’s security and stability.
Arctic Shock 24 serves as a testament to the close military cooperation between the U.S. and Norway and underscores their shared commitment to upholding peace and security in the Arctic region. As geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve in the Arctic, exercises like Arctic Shock 24 play a vital role in ensuring the readiness and effectiveness of allied forces in addressing emerging challenges and maintaining stability in the region.
members of Lakota Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/6, from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), along with their fellow marines and sailors, concluded an extensive eight-month deployment. This deployment saw them aboard the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, engaging in critical missions across the globe. The return of these troops to North Carolina marks the culmination of their dedicated service in a deployment that emphasized interoperability with NATO allies, readiness, and crisis response capabilities across various regions.
Homecoming and Strategic Impact: The Return of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Pivotal Global Deployment
March 18, 2024
The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, consisting of the USS Mesa Verde, USS Bataan, and USS Carter Hall, set sail from Norfolk on July 10, tasked with a mission that spanned the globe from the Persian Gulf to the eastern Mediterranean. Their deployment began amidst tensions in the Middle East, including Iran’s attempted seizures of commercial vessels and the broader unrest in the region. The group’s presence was pivotal in maintaining stability and responding to emerging crises, particularly as conflicts, such as the Israel-Hamas war, threatened to escalate.
Throughout their deployment, the marines and sailors engaged in numerous exercises with international partners, honing their skills and enhancing collaboration. Notably, early in their mission, as the USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall were deployed to counteract Iranian aggression in the Persian Gulf, the USS Mesa Verde operated in the Baltic Sea. There, it participated in key exercises and operations within the NAVEUR-6th Fleet area, including a significant port call in Riga, Latvia, and a German-led naval exercise alongside NATO and European Union countries in September.
By December, the ships convened in the Mediterranean, underlining the strategic flexibility and reach of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group and the 26th MEU. Their deployment showcased the integrated capabilities of the Navy and Marine Corps, ready to address global challenges as they arose. Captain Martin Robertson, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 8, highlighted the crucial role their presence played in the eastern Mediterranean, ensuring a ready and responsive U.S. force in times of need.
The return of these forces to Camp Lejeune, along with additional returns to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and Marine Corps Air Station New River, all in North Carolina, was a momentous occasion. It not only signified the successful completion of their mission but also marked a historic milestone for the Marine Corps and II Marine Expeditionary Force. This deployment was the first time in over two decades that a special operations capable Marine Expeditionary Unit was certified and employed, demonstrating a significant achievement in military readiness and capability.
Their deployment, which also coincided with the USS Gerald R. Ford’s return from its own eight-month deployment, leaves questions about the future U.S. naval presence in the Mediterranean. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has maintained a near-continuous deployment of aircraft carriers or amphibious ready groups in the region, highlighting the strategic importance of the Mediterranean in global security dynamics. The return of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group from such a pivotal area underscores the ongoing need for a robust U.S. military presence to ensure stability and respond to crises in this strategically vital region.
US Navy Mobilizes to Construct Temporary Gaza Seaport for Humanitarian Aid
In a significant effort to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza, the US Navy announced on March 20, 2024, the deployment of 260 sailors alongside two naval ships from the West Coast to construct a temporary seaport in the Eastern Mediterranean. This initiative comes as part of a broader US military operation aimed at facilitating aid delivery into the conflict-ridden region of Gaza.
The operation commenced with the departure of the U.S. Army Vessel General Frank S. Besson, part of the 7th Transportation Brigade, 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, on March 9, 2024. The vessel, a logistics support ship, transported the initial equipment necessary for establishing a temporary pier, signifying the first step in a series of deployments to the area.
Pentagon officials had previously disclosed plans for deploying approximately 1,000 US troops to erect a floating pier and a causeway extending about 1,800 feet into the Mediterranean Sea off Gaza’s coast. This infrastructure is intended to support commercial vessels in docking and offloading humanitarian supplies, which will then be distributed into Gaza through smaller vessels and vehicles.
This joint operation, involving Navy and Army personnel, utilizes a Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) system. According to Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s chief spokesperson, the mission aims to establish a roll-on, roll-off pier capability for direct ship-to-shore humanitarian assistance delivery. The expected outcome is a fully operational pier within 60 days, capable of facilitating the delivery of up to 2 million meals daily.
The naval component of this mission includes the deployment of the USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo and USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez, two prepositioning sealift ships. While the exact deployment date of the sailors and ships was not disclosed, Navy officials confirmed their involvement would align with the 60-day operational window.
This operation comes in the wake of President Joe Biden’s announcement on March 7, during his State of the Union speech, mandating the construction of the temporary port as part of the US commitment to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. The President and Pentagon officials have emphasized that no US troops will enter Gaza at any stage of the port’s construction or the subsequent aid delivery process.
Furthermore, the Pentagon is collaborating with international partners to ensure the security of the operation and the safety of US troops engaged in the port construction. This initiative represents a crucial step towards alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where ongoing conflict has severely impacted the local population, exacerbating conditions to near-famine levels for the roughly 2.3 million residents.
