Games find Navy ability lacking in Arctic

KODIAK, Alaska (AP) — In six oceans, the U.S. Navy is considered the master. In the seventh, the Arctic Ocean, it will rely on others.

As global warming opens the Arctic Ocean to commercial and industrial traffic, the U.S. Navy is pushing to catch up with Russia, Canada and even Denmark in its Arctic ability. If a crisis were to happen now, the Navy lacks the ability to act in the Arctic without the help of one of those countries or the Coast Guard.

Last year, the Navy asked the War Gaming Department of the U.S. Naval War College to find out what the Navy needs for sustained operations in the Arctic.

In the resulting 2011 Fleet Arctic Operations Game, the Navy learned how big its Arctic shortcomings are. As a force, the Navy lacks everything from bases and Arctic-capable ships to reliable communications and cold-weather clothing.

While the Hollywood image of a war game involves commanders pushing ships around a table in response to threats from another country, an operations game looks at smaller threats. A group of 88 people, including industry experts, government officials and senior level naval officers, participated in the game last September.

“We looked at search and rescue, oil spill response, maritime domain and maritime safety and security issues,” said Walter Berbrick, assistant research professor in the War Gaming Department at the Center for Naval Warfare Studies. “They were all fictional scenarios.”

The game’s conclusions: the Navy is not adequately prepared to conduct long-term maritime Arctic operations; Arctic weather conditions increase the risk of failure; and most critically, to operate in the Arctic, the Navy will need to lean on the U.S. Coast Guard, countries like Russia or Canada, or tribal and industrial partners.

To sustain operations in the Arctic, the Navy needs ice-capable equipment, accurate and timely environmental data, personnel trained to operate in extreme weather, and better communications systems. Much of the environmental data will come from other Arctic nations.

“We have limited capability to sustain long-term operations in the Arctic due to inadequate icebreaking capability,” Berbrick said. “The Navy finds itself entering a new realm as it relates to having to rely on other nations.”

In the past 30 years, the Coast Guard has been on point leading maritime Arctic operations, but as the Department of Defense develops more of an interest in what is going on in the Arctic, the Coast Guard – a part of the Department of Homeland Security – will work closely with the Navy to share information.

“It’s very likely that whatever operation goes on up there would be a joint operation,” said Coast Guard Capt. Craig Lloyd, chief of response for the 17th Coast Guard District. “All of the Department of Defense and U.S. Northern Command is interested in what is happening in the Arctic.” … READ MORE

Fleet of hybrid airships to conquer Arctic

Travelling through the Arctic is notoriously difficult and climate change is making it even harder. But there is a way to rise above the problem: the latest generation of lighter-than-air vehicles. Canadian company Discovery Air has signed a contract with the UK’s Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) to buy around 45 new hybrid air vehicles. These aircraft will be used across Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Advertisement

Battle Buddy

The War for the Soul of AFRICA

There is a war raging throughout the continent of Africa, a war between Islam and Christianity. It is fueled by both American and former Soviet weapons and funding, but now also includes the Chinese. Each “Super” power has a stake in the wealth of Africa. Staggeringly absent? The American press! Below are three articles among many online – NONE by American journalists – NONE printed by American papers! Curious?

East Africa summit appeals for peace as Sudan rejects UN

Thousands flee ... families seek shelter in caves in the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan, after fleeing bombardment by the Sudanese air force. Photo: Reuters/Goran Tomasevic

DAR ES SALAAM: Sudan and South Sudan must not return to war, Kenya’s President, Mwai Kibaki, said. Mr Kibaki was speaking at the five-member East Africa summit in Arusha, Tanzania, where delegates appealed to Sudan and South Sudan to resolve their conflict, amid applications to join the trading bloc.

The appeal from Mr Kibaki came after Sudan rejected any United Nations Security Council involvement in efforts to end weeks of border clashes with South Sudan that have raised fears of a wider war.

”Sudan confirms that it rejects any efforts to disturb the African Union role and take the situation between Sudan and South Sudan to the UN Security Council,” the Foreign Minister, Ali Karti, said … READ MORE

Nigerian university hit by explosions

Several explosions have struck a university campus in northern Nigeria near a theatre hall where Catholics were holding a service, witnesses and officials say.

Witnesses said the attack hit an old section of the campus of Bayero University in Kano. Abubakar Jibril, a spokesman for Nigeria’s national emergency management agency, said at least three explosions had struck on and around the campus, and that sporadic gunfire was continuing on Sunday morning.

Jibril said rescue officials could not reach the site as an attack appeared to be still under way.

A police spokesman referred calls for comment to Nigeria’s military. Military spokesman Lieutenant Iweha Ikedichi said soldiers and police had surrounded the university and were searching for the gunmen.

“There were casualties, but I don’t have exact figures,” Ikedichi said. “Some are injured and have been rushed to local hospitals.”

No group immediately claimed responsibility. The attack comes as Nigeria faces a growing sectarian battle between its weak central government and radical Islamist sect Boko Haram … READ MORE

Kenyan church hit by grenade

A Kenyan police officer at the crime scene after a grenade attack at the God's House of Miracles International Church in Nairobi. Photograph: Thomas Mukoya/Reuters

At least one person has been killed and a dozen wounded in a grenade attack at a church in the Kenyan capital, the latest in a series of attacks in the east African country since it sent troops into neighbouring Somalia.

The blast on Sunday was in a working-class area of the city, police and Kenya Red Cross officials said.

“I can confirm that one person is believed to be dead,” a police spokesman, Eric Kiraithe, said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The government has blamed previous attacks on the Somali-based al-Shabaab, which formally merged with al-Qaida this year, but police said it was too early to say who was behind the blast at the church.

“Chairs are thrown about and there is blood on the floor,” said Daniel Mutinda, a Kenya Red Cross official at the church, which is made of iron sheeting … READ MORE

What about the Church?

Tags

abortion, acceptance, AIDS, Catholic Church, Christ, Christianity, church, God's hands and feet, government or individual, homosexuaity, Jesus said GO (not government), judgement, life issues, poverty, promiscuity, WWJD

The Church at prayer

For years, there was a saying – “Don’t be so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good!” In the 70’s, I wondered if that was possible, but I was young. There is much to be said about maturity!

Not long ago, I was browsing favorite reading sites online, and tucked between articles about the Trayvon murder, the disastrous US economy, and the horrors of Islam both here and abroad, was an obscure article with a headline that caught my eye, but for the wrong reason. It’s been sticking in my claw since then. I wish I could describe the response of my heart … The headline was “Should the Church only Use the King James version of the Bible?” It could just as easily read any of the dozens of incidental issues that bog down believers from the real issues:

• Is baptism for today? Should one be dipped or sprinkled?
• What about “tongues,” and the “gifts of the Holy Spirit” – for today? for what purpose?
• The “Rapture” – pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib?
• Which denomination is more Biblical?

*NOTE: For the purpose of this article, my use of the word Church, includes all denominations, all those who have called on the name of Jesus for salvation. The use of the word church, will be replaced with local assembly or local congregation.

Back to my response at seeing that headline: I was incensed! I was angry not at the writer of the article, but at the religious spirit that so overshadows the American Church…that religious spirit that makes people too heavenly minded to be any earthly good! I used to live there.

The truth of the matter is that many local congregations of both Christian (incl. Catholic) and Jewish designation have lost themselves somewhere between the issues of this life and those of the next. While many congregations have established some sort of help for those less fortunate, a soup kitchen or clothing closet, the majority of congregants either do not participate or do so legalistically – it’s the thing to do! For such a huge “organization,” it remains virtually ineffective in re-directing society. Have you noticed?

A recent Poll finds 77 percent of Americans believe Christ rose from the dead! If 77% of our nation’s population actually LIVED as close to the way Jesus lived as humanly possible, and worked at self-improvement to grow more into His likeness everyday, perhaps those who call themselves atheists or agnostics would see the reality of Jesus. If the Church actually poured out the love of God stringlessly into the hurting, confused, and lonely people around us one by one, perhaps we’d see a reduction in the violence, a reduction in unwanted pregnancies, a reduction in the number of children and families going to bed hungry or cold, a reduction in the number of homeless huddled together under bridges and behind strip malls. We’re NOT doing our JOB, CHURCH!

As our religious freedoms come under political attack, it is clear that decades of “reprogramming” has been successfully accomplished right under our heaven-pointed noses. We’ve been silent in the face of violence. We’ve been silent in the face of compromise. We’ve been silent in the face of the slaughter of millions of unborn babies. We’ve been silent too long, my friends. Why? Because we were told our religion was meant to stay within the walls of our local assemblies – within the building. Now, the salt as lost is savor. There is little difference between those of us who call ourselves believers and those who do not.

I believe whole-heartedly, if we come out from behind those walls, we’d find out the positive influence we can have in society, if we aspire to live and love like Christ. We’d find out where we stand on the vital issues of today:

• Should Christians be Pro-Choice or Pro-Life?
• Whose responsibility is it to tend the poor? Government or the Church?
• Is it possible for our young people to remain chaste in a culture that preaches sex from every media orifice?
• How can we hope for improvement in social mores if we don’t aspire to civility and virtue ourselves?
• What about the “War on Women”?
• Should the Church allow openly gay and lesbian believers into their congregations?

The Catholic Church has taken a stand on many of these issues, but what about the rest of us? Count the cost, and take a stand! As believers, our lives should be defined, not by our words, but by the love – God’s love – flowing freely and unchecked from our lives. We talk the talk, but we must do better at walking the walk! We are Jesus’ hands and feet – but we are also His Heart to this generation! Look OUTWARD, and let grace and mercy lead us!