#Arctic Warfare Training

[warsofasoiaf]

Would it be politically possible for NATO nations to specialize? Meaning perhaps Germany specializes in tank warfare and air power for its engineering output, Italy and Britain in naval warfare, and other nations in specific parts of combined arms, and if they could would this be beneficial?

In some ways, no. Every country will need to be able to properly achieve its defense objectives with its own national armed services. Countries will need modern, combined arms under its own power to secure their country's territory both terrestrial and aquatic along with its airspace. After all, what if the alliance collapses?

In other ways, you can argue that they already do. Certain countries cultivate and develop engineering talent for certain military needs. Cold-weather countries like Canada excel at training for arctic warfare. Finland has the largest artillery corps in NATO. However, that is usually not done due to specialization with the hopes that other countries can fulfill other requirements, it's due to the country's own defense policy. However, NATO's policy of interoperability means that allied members can deploy and fight effectively together. Being a member of NATO also means being able to purchase equipment from other members, and as I mentioned before, arms purchases are long-term endeavors, including training, software patching, etc.

Thanks for the question, Cle-Guy.

SomethingLikeALawyer, Hand of the King

[haveyoureadthistransbook]

Killing Me Slowly by Tanya Allan

goodreads

You have to be tough to be a Royal Marine Commando. Corporal Mike Morrison was one of the best. Only just twenty-four, with six years in the service, amongst others, he had undergone Parachute Training, Arctic Warfare Training, Desert Warfare Training, Advanced Weapons Training, Diver Training, and most recently Sniper Training, having come top of his course. Having just returned to the UK from Afghanistan and the Gulf, he was ready for his next step. His aim; to be accepted for the Special Boat Section (SBS), the Royal Navy’s equivalent to the SAS.

He did not expect to get sick.

Having worked through flu and colds before, he thought he could man-up and get through. He was wrong.

Finally admitting defeat, he reported sick. The doctors could find nothing wrong, so told him so. Then he collapsed and almost died. One by one, his vital organs began to shut down, and yet the doctors were completely baffled. They had no idea why Mike’s own body was killing him.

By chance, after a process of elimination, they discovered that he was allergic to something his body made naturally – testosterone. Mike was, however, in a coma, so it was up to his father, a retired Parachute Regiment warrant officer, to make a decision on behalf of his son. Recalling just two incidents in his son’s past, one at age five and the other some nine years later, he made the decision. He hoped it was the right one.

When Mike awoke, he was still not out of danger, but now he had a chance. The only difficulty was Mike was not Mike any more. Mike was now Mikayla and faced a very different set of challenges.

How tough was she going to need to be now?

Mod opinion: I haven't heard of this book before and it doesn't sound like my type of story, so I personally won't read it, but it sounds interesting if you enjoy thrillers.

[mariacallous]

IVALO, FINLAND—Only 20 miles of forest separate the Lapland Border Guard base in the Finnish town of Ivalo from Russia. From here, well above the Arctic Circle, the Border Guards monitor the activities of their not-so-friendly neighbor. And now, after Finland joined NATO in April last year and Helsinki and Washington decided to further strengthen their cooperation by signing a defense cooperation agreement in mid-December, the United States is officially authorized to position troops and equipment at the base.

The United States has similar agreements facilitating military collaboration with the other NATO members bordering mainland Russia: Norway, Estonia, and Latvia. These agreements also specify which of the hosting country’s bases can be used by U.S. forces. After Finland and the United States signed the agreement, Ivalo became the closest base to mainland Russia immediately accessible to U.S. troops.

“It is premature to assess what will possibly be invested in Ivalo, and the criteria are not public,” says Ville Ahtiainen, the deputy commander of the Lapland Border Guard, “but the overall result will be good, and it will deepen the cooperation between our countries.”

NATO’s new 830-mile-long border in Finland draws the alliance’s attention much more to the north, says Kristine Berzina, the managing director of the Geostrategy North program at the German Marshall Fund think tank. The area, she says, has “not received much consideration in the past, especially from a land forces domain.”

This despite Russia’s powerful forces nearby, which include its crown jewels: the Northern Fleet and its nuclear submarines, held in and around the Russian port of Murmansk. The strategic harbor is so close that road signs point to it in Ivalo’s icy streets.

While Finland is counterbalancing Moscow’s superiority in the high north, the enhanced military presence comes with a trade-off. As Berzina notes, the new border also “increases exposure to Russian threats.” After the signing of the December agreement, Moscow declared that it “would take the necessary measures to counter the aggressive decisions of Finland and its NATO allies,” and it has many tools at its disposal. Whether it is weaponized migration, covert operations against infrastructure, or airspace violations, these hybrid attacks are now not only Finland’s problems, but also NATO’s.

In joining NATO, Finland abandoned the policy of military neutrality it had maintained since shortly after World War II. Despite being a NATO partner since 1994, the Nordic country had never been able to count on the protection of allies. Consequently, for decades it took care of its own defense, developing impressive military capabilities and a society trained to fight. According to military experts and security officials, Finland’s presence in NATO brings to the club a sort of Arctic Sparta, a highly trained force that will move the alliance’s center of gravity to the north. (The missing brick in the anti-Russian northern wall is Sweden, which is expected to join the alliance soon, once Hungary gives the green light.)

“Our biggest asset is the concept of total defense that we have developed in all these years,” says Ville Sipilainen, a special advisor to the Finnish defense minister, who closely followed the cooperation agreement’s negotiations. “As a small country, we had to use the entire society for defense. We have very developed infantry, artillery, and of course, the expertise in Arctic warfare.”

On Feb. 11, Finland will go to the polls to elect its new president. The two candidates, Alexander Stubb and Pekka Haavisto, share a decisive anti-Russian position, and no major changes in foreign policy are expected after the vote.

In Ivalo, dozens of young conscripts (usually between 19 and 21) have just arrived and shaved their heads to start military service. They can be seen marching around the base and learning the basic concepts of discipline in the first days. Finland is one of the few EU countries where military service is mandatory, and with 285,000 soldiers ready to be armed, it has one of the largest wartime infantries in NATO. (Around 900,000 people out of a total population of 5.5 million have had military training.)

The Border Guard in Ivalo trains the conscripts especially in reconnaissance along the frontier, where the atmosphere has recently been tense. Last fall, about 1,300 asylum-seekers from countries such as Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Kenya, Morocco, and Pakistan started showing up at Finland’s border crossing points, including the one close to Ivalo. Helsinki has accused Moscow of transporting the migrants to the border and pushing them to seek refuge on the other side, posing “a serious threat to Finland’s national security and public order.” At the end of November, the government closed the entire border, which will remain shut at least until April 14. Also last year, Helsinki started building a 124-mile fence along its eastern frontier.

Weaponized migration is not the only hybrid attack Moscow has been accused of recently. In October, a pipeline connecting Finland and Estonia was severely damaged by what Finnish investigators think was the anchor of a Chinese cargo ship. Rumors of Russian involvement have inflamed the debate in the media since. In the last weeks, GPS disturbances have also affected Finland and the Baltic region, and many Finns suspect that Russia is the source.

During the migrant crisis, the Border Guard received the support of one of, if not the, most skilled Arctic formations in the world: the Finnish Jaeger Brigade. Located in Sodankyla, 100 miles south of Ivalo, it owes its name to a unit of Finnish nationalists created in Germany during World War I, when the grand duchy of Finland was still part of the Russian Empire. For Finland’s NATO allies, the Jaegers and the winter combat course that they organize have become the go-to guys when it comes to Arctic warfare, and Western countries—including the United States—have been sending their troops there to train for years. Since Finland’s accession to NATO, those requests have increased.

The Arctic section leader of the brigade, Maj. Mikael Aikio, 39, has been an instructor at the winter combat course since it was created 10 years ago. Originally from the region, he is a quarter Sámi—an Indigenous people of northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and northwestern Russia. He recently helped design the country-cross skis used by the Finnish Army. This year, he’s teaching 14 Finns and 15 foreign soldiers from the United States, United Kingdom, Estonia, France, and Belgium. “One of the strengths of the Finnish army is that there is a lot of initiative even at low levels,” he says in his office in the Arctic section of the base. “Squads and platoons can make decisions themselves and do things independently. That’s the culture.”

But to make good decisions autonomously, you need skills. While preparing for a day with his students, he puts some newspaper in his boots to absorb moisture. “The devil is in the details,” Aikio says while remembering a training day spent with temperatures that reached 38 degrees Fahrenheit (39 Celsius) below zero.

The brigade’s barracks are scattered across the snow-covered spruce of the Finnish taiga. In mid-January, daylight is less than three hours, but the 29 winter combat course trainees can take advantage of the high latitudes’ long twilights. One of them, Staff Sgt. Cameron Daniels, 29, arrived in Sodankyla at the beginning of January from Fort Drum, New York, where he serves in the 10th Mountain Division. The Finns equipped him with many layers beneath a surprisingly light jacket, three different kinds of gloves, and rubber boots made by a Nokia spinoff company, with a means to attach the skis. “They have excellent gear and great skills I’ll bring back home,” Daniels says, packing his bag. “Their camouflage is great.”

Daniels’s division was founded during World War II, after the U.S. Army observed, impressed, the Finnish feats against the Soviet Union. After signing the nonaggression pact with Germany in 1939, the Soviet Union had launched an offensive against Finland to increase the buffer territory around Leningrad in case of a future attack from Berlin. Then, as in today’s Ukraine, Moscow justified the invasion of the old imperial province by pretending to come to the aid of a minority in Finnish territory. Then, as today, the operation didn’t go as expected. The Red Army suffered huge losses against the Finnish troops, which were much more prepared to fight in the harsh winter conditions. The Finns were particularly effective in small units, and they had some good snipers in their ranks. The most famous of them, Simo Hayha, earned the nickname “White Death” after at least 505 confirmed kills, making him widely considered to be the deadliest marksman ever.

“After the collapse of the Soviet Union, there were hopes that Russia would move closer to Europe,” says Henrik Meinander, a history professor at the University of Helsinki. “Moreover, Finland joined the EU in 1995, and it was expected that a common European defense would be created. Nobody felt the urgency of a NATO membership.” A few steps from the campus, the statue of Tsar Alexander II dominates the capital’s main square. But Russian tourists, the most numerous in Finland before the Ukraine invasion, have almost disappeared. “If Russia had not attacked Ukraine, Finland would not have joined NATO,” Meinander says.

Finland doesn’t just bring massive infantry and ski troops to the table. The country boasts a stronger artillery than any in Western Europe, with about 1,500 weapons and substantial heavy ammunition production. In December, the Defense Ministry announced that it would more than double production to build up its own capabilities as well as to keep supplying Ukraine’s forces. Helsinki recently bought the David’s Sling high-altitude air defense system from Israel and 64 F-35s from the United States. The F-35s purchase brought the country’s expenditure on defense in 2023 above 2 percent of GDP, which is the theoretical minimum required for NATO countries but followed by only a third of the members.

Unlike Estonia or Latvia, Finland will be able to take care of its airspace by itself without the support of NATO allies. According to Sipilainen, the Ministry of Defense advisor, airspace violations from Russia were quite common before Finland joined NATO, but there have been none since then: “Clearly, there is respect for NATO airspace.”

On the other side of the border, Finland’s old enemy is struggling to maintain a solid conventional ground force. The Russian counterparts of the Jaeger Brigade, the 80th Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 200th Motorized Rifle Brigade, have suffered hefty casualties in Ukraine.

“There is not much left,” says Col. Kimmo Kinnunen, the commander of the Jaeger Brigade. “But they have a lot of other capabilities,” pointing to air and naval forces as well as the nuclear submarines based near Murmansk.

In Ivalo, the passage to Murmansk is now closed. Along the border, the situation is quiet, but the Border Guard are tight-lipped about the confrontation with Russia. “We don’t know what will happen, but I hope it will be back to normal,” says a conscript. His superior is in the room, and they exchange glances to be sure he is using appropriate words.

Cpl. Topi Kinnunen, in his early 20s, has just finished his first mandatory six months of service and has now decided to start another six months to train and lead the newcomers. “I chose to come here because it is a tough place, but rewarding,” he says while the recruits come to grips with the Finnish-made RK 62 rifles, designed on the model of the Soviet Kalashnikovs.

Over the past decades, Finland has produced enough to arm its entire reserve. Soon, the armory in Ivalo could also open its doors to weapons from the Pentagon.

[tyrannuspitch]

been thinking about worldbuilding and. oh my god guys. i know it's a throwaway joss whedon line, but even so... i think bilgesnipe might be jotun wildlife, not asgardian.

what do we know about bilgesnipe?

they have an insulting-sounding name, which at first glance inspection doesn't make much sense. normally, a "snipe" is a small game bird. this could just be a sort of joke, like a tall man nicknamed "tiny", but it could also imply that asgardians see these creatures primarily as things to shoot at. (fun fact: the word "sniper" actually comes from the amount of skill it takes to shoot snipe! bilgesnipe definitely aren't small targets, but they might still be hard to take down.)

meanwhile, "bilge" means the bottom of a ship, and the water that gathers inside it. this might imply that these creature live somewhere dirty... or that they tend to try to sink ships? (let's also remember that asgardian ships often travel the air, not the sea.)

thor summarises bilgesnipe as: "huge, scaly, big antlers". this doesn't precisely match the jotun creature we see in t1 (which i've taken to calling a dragon, for lack of other terms), but it's close. that creature is the size of a whale, with hairless, leathery blue skin and spines down its back - which could easily lead to the misconception that it was scaly. between this creature and the jotuns themselves, massive size and tough skin seem like they might be typical traits of species from jotunheim.

thor calls bilgesnipe destructive and repulsive, and uses them as an example of "uncivilised" behaviour. this reflects asgardian attitudes towards the jotun people, but it's an unusual level of animosity to hold towards an animal - especially considering that aggressive megafauna, even "exotic" ones, are often valorised by hyper-military cultures (all those european coats of arms with lions and tigers...), unless they're frequently in direct opposition.

so what is this opposition? IRL the mediaeval norse has an ambivalent relationship to wolves, because wolves preyed on their livestock. but bilgesnipes have antlers, which, at least on earth, are a herbivore trait. deer/etc can be aggressive when competing for mates or defending their young, but the danger is simple enough to avoid if you just stay out of their way. they're rarely seen as monsters for it...

but large herbivores are very often domesticated as beasts of burden - horses, donkeys, llamas, camels, elephants, and in the arctic, reindeer. and, depending on social context and the hardiness of the animals themselves, some of these beasts of burden go on to be used in warfare.

we already know that jotuns have domesticated large carnivores for military use (or maybe, originally, hunting) - specifically, they run down enemy foot-soldiers like prey on command. it's not a stretch to say there might be other species jotuns use for other military purposes.

SO. specifically. i think bilgesnipe could be giant jotun war-deer, trained to rake and crash low-flying enemy ships ("bilge"-snipe), and to stampede enemy armies ("destroy everything in their path".)

of course, the phrase (idiom?) "battling like bilgesnipe" itself could very easily refer to some natural phenomenon like rutting stags, as a metaphor for hypermasculine competitiveness, rather than anything about the animals in a real military context... but the way thor describes these creatures and the extreme negative attitude he takes to them still feel like something more to me. (and it's just more fun that way.)

(and finally, since it didn't flow above: thor assumes that midgard has, or at least knows about, bilgesnipe. and yes, this could be read as implying they're a completely everyday animal to thor, and therefore asgardian - but i would argue it could also go the other way: they're an exotic-but-familiar creature to him, like lions to a european, and he's carelessly conflating his "lesser realms", like a european thinking lions live in "the jungle".)

[ski-schutze]

“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.” That’s probably the most common mistake, but we can’t really complain about the image above? Valmets and Aimpoints in the Winter Warfare Training during Arctic Forge 2023, in our Photo Of The Day.

Above you see Spc. Grey, a U.S. Army Soldier assigned to 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment, Virginia Army National Guard, aiming at a target downrange with a Finnish RK62M1 rifle during foreign weapon familiarization training at the Sodankylä Garrison, Finland.

Below: This is how you support your Valmet during winter! Get some!

Exercise Arctic Forge 23 is a U.S. Army Europe and Africa led umbrella exercise that leverages the host nation exercises Defense Exercise North in Finland, and exercise Joint Viking in Norway, taking place Feb. 16 through March 17, 2023, focused on building capabilities and cooperation in support of the U.S. Army’s Arctic Strategy.

Multicam versus something slightly better in the snow.

It looks a bit cold, but you wish you were there, don’t you?

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 7.9 (after 1870)

1875 – The Herzegovina Uprising against Ottoman rule begins, which would last until 1878 and have far-reaching implications throughout the Balkans. 1877 – The inaugural Wimbledon Championships begins. 1893 – Daniel Hale Williams, American heart surgeon, performs the first successful open-heart surgery in United States without anesthesia. 1896 – William Jennings Bryan delivers his Cross of Gold speech advocating bimetallism at the 1896 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. 1900 – The Federation of Australia is given royal assent. 1900 – The Governor of Shanxi province in North China orders the execution of 45 foreign Christian missionaries and local church members, including children. 1918 – In Nashville, Tennessee, an inbound local train collides with an outbound express, killing 101 and injuring 171 people, making it the deadliest rail accident in United States history. 1922 – Johnny Weissmuller swims the 100 meters freestyle in 58.6 seconds breaking the world swimming record and the 'minute barrier'. 1926 – Chiang Kai-shek accepts the post of commander-in-chief of the National Revolutionary Army, marking the beginning of the Northern Expedition to unite China under the rule of the Nationalist government. 1932 – The state of São Paulo revolts against the Brazilian Federal Government, starting the Constitutionalist Revolution. 1937 – The silent film archives of Fox Film Corporation are destroyed by the 1937 Fox vault fire. 1943 – World War II: The Allied invasion of Sicily begins, leading to the downfall of Mussolini and forcing Hitler to break off the Battle of Kursk. 1944 – World War II: American forces take Saipan, bringing the Japanese archipelago within range of B-29 raids, and causing the downfall of the Tojo government. 1944 – World War II: Continuation War: Finland wins the Battle of Tali–Ihantala, the largest battle ever fought in northern Europe. The Red Army withdraws its troops from Ihantala and digs into a defensive position, thus ending the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive. 1955 – The Russell–Einstein Manifesto calls for a reduction of the risk of nuclear warfare. 1958 – A 7.8 Mw  strike-slip earthquake in Alaska causes a landslide that produces a megatsunami. The runup from the waves reached 525 m (1,722 ft) on the rim of Lituya Bay; five people were killed. 1961 – Greece becomes the first member state to join the European Economic Community by signing the Athens Agreement, which was suspended in 1967 during the Greek junta. 1962 – Starfish Prime tests the effects of a nuclear test at orbital altitudes. 1977 – The Pinochet dictatorship in Chile organises the youth event of Acto de Chacarillas, a ritualised act reminiscent of Francoist Spain. 1979 – A car bomb destroys a Renault motor car owned by "Nazi hunters" Serge and Beate Klarsfeld outside their home in France in an unsuccessful assassination attempt. 1982 – Pan Am Flight 759 crashes in Kenner, Louisiana, killing all 145 people on board and eight others on the ground. 1986 – The New Zealand Parliament passes the Homosexual Law Reform Act legalising homosexuality in New Zealand. 1993 – The Parliament of Canada passes the Nunavut Act leading to the 1999 creation of Nunavut, dividing the Northwest Territories into arctic (Inuit) and sub-arctic (Dene) lands based on a plebiscite. 1995 – The Navaly church bombing is carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force killing 125 Tamil civilian refugees. 2002 – The African Union is established in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, replacing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). The organization's first chairman is Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa. 2004 – The Senate Report on Iraqi WMD Intelligence is released by the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, casting doubt on the rationale for the Iraq War. 2011 – South Sudan gains independence and secedes from Sudan.

[armynavyusa]

7 Key Environments Where Militaries Rely on Corcoran Boots

The military world is challenging, with special force operations, military campaigns, combats, maritime operations, and dangerous aerial missions. There is also rigorous training and parades. Corcoran Boots has earned a distinguished reputation among civilians and within military circles worldwide. Renowned for their durability, convenience, and reliability, these boots are essential for soldiers operating in diverse environments. This blog will explore seven crucial places where militaries rely on these Boots for optimal performance and protection.

Combat Zones:

Soldiers need footwear they can trust in the confusion of combat. Corcoran Boots excels in combat zones, offering sturdy construction, ankle support, and traction on varied terrain. Whether navigating through wild landscapes or urban environments, these boots provide stability and confidence to soldiers in the heat of battle.

Training Grounds:

Before soldiers face the rigors of combat, they undergo stringent training. Corcoran Boots are a common sight on military training grounds, enduring long marches, impediment courses, and simulated battle scenarios. 

Their ability to withstand intense use without compromising comfort makes them indispensable during the formative stages of a soldier's career.

Arctic Conditions:

Proper footwear is essential in icy landscapes where temperatures plummet to prevent frostbite and ensure mobility. Corcoran Boots designed for extreme cold weather offer insulation and waterproofing, keeping soldiers' feet warm and dry even in the harshest Arctic environments. Whether on patrol or at remote outposts, these boots provide essential protection against the elements.

Desert Environments:

The unforgiving terrain of desert environments presents unique challenges for military footwear. Corcoran Boots created for desert conditions feature breathable materials, protective toe caps, and specialized outsoles to fight sand, rocks, and intense heat. 

Soldiers operating in desert regions rely on these boots to maintain comfort and agility while traversing vast expanses of arid terrain.

Jungle Operations:

Navigating dense vegetation and swampy terrain requires footwear that can resist moisture and provide trustworthy traction. Corcoran Boots, with their breathable canvas uppers and drainage vents, are ideal for soldiers conducting jungle operations. 

These boots offer superior grip on slippery surfaces and help prevent fungal infections by keeping feet dry in humid environments.

Urban Warfare:

In urban warfare scenarios, where soldiers encounter rubble-strewn streets, debris, and potential hazards around every corner, footwear must offer protection and maneuverability. 

Corcoran Urban Assault Boots are designed to meet these demands, featuring lightweight construction, reinforced ankles, and slip-resistant soles. 

Whether conducting raids, patrols, or humanitarian missions in urban settings, these boots provide the stability and agility soldiers need to navigate complex environments safely.

Specialized Operations:

From airborne assaults to maritime operations, specialized military units require footwear tailored to their unique missions. Corcoran Boots offers specialized variants for paratroopers, divers, and other elite forces, providing the performance and reliability demanded by these high-stakes operations. 

Whether jumping from an aircraft or conducting amphibious landings, soldiers can trust these Boots to deliver optimal performance in the most demanding circumstances.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Corcoran Boots have earned their place as trusted companions for military personnel operating in various environments and scenarios. From combat zones to specialized operations, these boots available at Army Navy USA provide the durability, comfort, and protection soldiers need to carry out their missions effectively. By understanding the specific challenges faced in different environments, Corcoran continues to innovate and refine its footwear, ensuring that military forces worldwide can rely on their boots to meet the demands of modern warfare.

[thxnews]

UK Commandos Gear Up for Arctic Drills

Braving the Arctic Cold

In the frostbitten expanses of Norway, hundreds of UK Royal Marines and Army Commandos are currently undergoing intensive cold weather training. This preparation is critical as they gear up for Exercise Nordic Response, set to be one of the largest NATO exercises since the Cold War. Operating in temperatures that can nosedive below –50C, these commandos are not only testing their endurance but also fine-tuning their warfare techniques in one of the planet's most demanding environments.   Camp Viking: The UK's Arctic Hub The heart of the UK's Arctic operations beats at Camp Viking in Øverbygd. Established just last year, this camp serves as the UK's primary base in the High North expected to remain so for the coming decade. Here, around a thousand commandos are engaging in specialized training regimes that encompass cold weather and mountain warfare skills, alongside evaluating new tactics and equipment.   A High-Level Visit The significance of this training was underscored by a visit from the Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey. His trip, coinciding with bilateral defense talks with Norwegian officials, offered a firsthand look at the rigorous preparation undertaken by UK forces. These discussions also touched on broader security concerns, including the situation in Ukraine and securing the Barents Sea region.   A Testament to UK-Norway Ties Minister Heappey highlighted the deep-seated alliance between the UK and Norway, a bond forged during the tribulations of the Second World War and now more pivotal than ever. This enduring partnership plays a crucial role in enhancing readiness and delivering a strong message of deterrence, particularly in light of current geopolitical tensions.   Training for Every Contingency The UK Commando Force's annual pilgrimage to Norway is more than a tradition; it's a vital part of their operational readiness. Working alongside international military personnel, these commandos rehearse a spectrum of cold weather combat scenarios, from high-intensity conflicts to counter-terrorism operations. The versatile training at Camp Viking is designed to ensure that if UK forces can operate in the Arctic, they can operate anywhere.   Exercise Nordic Response and Beyond This year's Exercise Nordic Response will seamlessly dovetail with the NATO exercise Steadfast Defender, thereby showcasing a significant coalition of forces aimed at testing and refining NATO's defense strategies. Furthermore, with the UK contributing a substantial portion of the land forces, this exercise symbolizes the unity and strength of NATO allies, including the newest participant, Sweden.  

Ready for the Challenge

As the UK's Royal Marines and Army Commandos continue their rigorous preparation in Norway's harsh conditions, their commitment to excellence and resilience is clear. These exercises not only sharpen their warfare capabilities but also reinforce the UK's commitment to its NATO allies and to maintaining security in the High North. With their eyes fixed on Exercise Nordic Response and Steadfast Defender 24, the UK's commando force is ready to confront any challenge, anywhere.   Sources: THX News, Ministry of Defence & The Rt Hon James Heappey MP Read the full article

[mandyjane-lifedesign]

Lone Helicopter Crash Survivor

Medical Marvel describes his journey to walk again Amazing Human Interest Nicholas Barnes is living proof that luck is not always about avoiding misfortune but rather triumphing over adversity. His remarkable story, though tinged with darkness, reveals the indomitable spirit of the human condition. He's not just a survivor; he's a beacon of resilience. Nicholas's life was intertwined with the military from the start. Raised in a family with strong military ties, he was destined for a life in service. His mother was a chef, his father a corporal in the Hampshire regiment. His childhood was marked by constant relocation, having moved six times by the age of 10. His life's path led him to a boarding school from the age of 11 to 18, where he was recognized as a positive influence, displaying maturity beyond his years. At 18, eager to follow his calling, he enlisted for basic training, but his journey took an early detour when he broke his arm falling out of a military lorry weighing 4.5 tons. Following a hiatus to pursue a business and computing degree, the events of September 11th, 2001, shook him to the core, leading him back into the military through rigorous basic training. Over the next 3.5 years, his service took him to various hotspots, from guarding Buckingham Palace for the Royal Family to missions in Northern Ireland and even Arctic warfare in Antarctica. However, it was a mission behind enemy lines at the age of 26 that changed everything. The military helicopter he was on malfunctioned, plunging from the sky. Nicholas and one fellow serviceman found themselves dangling from the side of the aircraft as it spiraled downward. In a desperate attempt to survive, they parachuted into the unknown. Tragically, the parachute couldn't fully open due to the short drop distance, causing Nicholas to land on his feet, sending shockwaves through his entire skeleton. The year was 2007, and of the eight people onboard the helicopter, seven lost their lives. Nicholas was left as the sole survivor, but he was now paralyzed from the waist down. The subsequent year brought hospitalization, depression, PTSD, and deep emotional and mental scars. His ability to perform basic tasks such as holding a knife and fork, as well as speaking, was impaired. He developed debilitating diabetes and various health complications. Yet, the strength of the human spirit burned bright within him. Despite being told by doctors that he would never walk again, he found himself addicted to the pain medication necessary for his daily functioning. A devastating blow hit when his wife, who had been battling womb cancer, passed away. Their marriage had been a testament to love and support, with Nicholas caring for her during her illness. "Her death changed it all for me," he says. "It was the turning point. From that moment, I fought with unwavering determination to recover and make a difference." This marked the beginning of a medical miracle that defied doctors' expectations. In just three years, Nicholas not only regained the ability to walk unaided but also became a dedicated athlete and founded "Incredible Warriors." His purpose shifted toward supporting people and making the world a better place. He is now a qualified linguistic practitioner, a master neuro hypnotherapist, a pain expert, an emotional intelligence coach, and a mindfulness teacher. His remarkable journey of recovery has astonished many, and his story is poised to become the focus of an upcoming and significant documentary. Photo by israel palacio on Unsplash Read the full article

[seznam1]

Special Boat Service (SBS): Elite Warriors of the Seas

The Special Boat Service (SBS) is a remarkable and elite special forces unit that often operates in the shadows, away from the public eye. Renowned for their outstanding maritime skills, unwavering determination, and ability to execute complex missions, the SBS stands as one of the world's most elite naval special operations forces. In this article, we delve into the world of the Special Boat Service, exploring its history, training, missions, and the invaluable role it plays in modern warfare.

Selection and Training

Joining the ranks of the SBS is no small feat. The selection process is grueling and demanding, with a high attrition rate. Candidates must first meet the basic requirements, which include being a member of the Royal Marines or the Royal Navy, and having several years of service experience.

The selection process itself consists of a series of physical and mental challenges designed to push candidates to their limits. These challenges include long-distance marches, endurance swims, and navigation exercises. Candidates are tested not only on their physical fitness but also on their mental toughness, adaptability, and leadership potential.

Once selected, SBS candidates undergo an intense training program that includes specialized courses in maritime operations, combat diving, demolitions, and small boat handling. They are trained to operate in all types of waterborne environments, from freezing arctic waters to sweltering tropical seas.

Missions and Operations

The SBS is tasked with a wide range of missions, and its capabilities are diverse. These missions include:

Counter-terrorism: The SBS plays a critical role in counter-terrorism operations, including hostage rescue and counter-piracy efforts. They are often called upon to respond to high-stakes situations where precision and speed are of the essence.

Special reconnaissance: The SBS excels in gathering intelligence from hostile and denied areas, including conducting covert surveillance, infiltration, and exfiltration.

Covert beach reconnaissance: They conduct clandestine reconnaissance of beaches and coastlines to support larger amphibious operations, ensuring that landing areas are secure and free from enemy threats.

Counter-narcotics: The SBS assists in intercepting and boarding drug smuggling vessels, disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics and protecting national interests.

Maritime interdiction: They are skilled in boarding and searching ships suspected of carrying illegal goods or engaging in illicit activities.

Humanitarian operations: The SBS has also been involved in humanitarian missions, providing assistance in disaster-stricken areas and conducting search and rescue operations.

Modern Challenges and Equipment

In the modern era, the SBS faces new challenges, including counter-terrorism efforts against global threats, such as terrorism and piracy. To meet these challenges, they employ state-of-the-art equipment, including specialized boats, underwater vehicles, and cutting-edge weapons and communications systems.

Their boats, often fast and highly maneuverable, are equipped for both stealthy insertions and rapid extractions. Combat diving equipment allows them to conduct underwater reconnaissance and sabotage missions.

Secrecy and Recognition

The SBS is known for its secrecy and low public profile. Its operations are typically classified, and its members often operate in plainclothes or civilian attire. Recognition of their bravery and accomplishments is often limited due to the nature of their missions, which require discretion and confidentiality.

Despite their relative anonymity, the SBS has received numerous awards and commendations for their actions in combat and special operations. Their dedication and professionalism in the face of danger have earned them the respect of their fellow service members and the admiration of military enthusiasts worldwide.

For More Info:-

Special Boat Service

Special Boat Service

Special Boat Service

Special Boat Service

[college-girl199328]

The Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have announced they're launching public consultations on Canada's military and defense strategy — a move that comes as the armed forces grapple with challenges ranging from growing foreign threats to recruitment woes. CAF said in a news release that the Defense Policy Review (DPU) "will build on Canada's current defense policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE), and will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to meet any threat in the changed global security environment."

SSE was launched in 2017 as a 20-year plan for building a combat-ready, highly trained, and well-equipped military. DND and CAF acknowledged that the global security and geopolitical environment has changed significantly since the plan was announced and that the military has also since faced a flood of sexual misconduct allegations, some involving senior officers.

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed the threat landscape, as have increased cyber threats, Russian and Chinese military modernization, the increased presence of nontraditional actors in the conflict, the acceleration and intensification of climate change, and the Canadian Armed Forces' increased role in domestic crisis response," the news release reads. "To ensure the Canadian Armed Forces' effectiveness in responding to these threats, we must continue to focus on building lasting, positive culture change in the military."

Anita Anand, Minister of Defense, announced the consultation during a keynote address at the Ottawa Conference on Security and Defense on Thursday. "We are at a tipping point in the history of conflict, and that is why the need to build and rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces so that we are ready for tomorrow is becoming increasingly pressing," Anand said.

"Together, we will build a Canadian Armed Forces that is equipped for the challenges ahead. The government will review submissions from March 9 to April 30, 2023.

The Canadian Armed Forces' largest current operation is Operation Reassurance in Eastern Europe. Approximately 1,000 CAF soldiers are deployed on the operation to help guard NATO's eastern flank. CAF personnel have also trained over 35,000 Ukrainian troops as part of Operation Unifier, which started in 2015 and also announced Thursday fast-track procurement of anti-tank, anti-aircraft, and anti-drone weapons for Canadian soldiers deployed in Eastern Europe — equipment the Canadian military has lacked.

"The urgent procurement of these capabilities will improve the self-protection of military members deployed in Eastern Europe as part of Operation Reassurance," a government news release says, which is dealing with a personnel shortage. Chief of the Defense Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre said the military is 10,000 regular force soldiers below full strength. The military has opened up applications to permanent residents and loosened dress and deportment restrictions in an attempt to boost its ranks.

Members of the public can send feedback through a web platform. The consultations will also include conversations with industry and experts, input from parliamentarians, discussions with indigenous communities, and talks with international allies. The review will look at five critical areas, including the personnel shortage, the need to upgrade Arctic defenses, and an assessment of the equipment and capabilities needed for modern warfare.

"This input will be crucial to updating Canada's defense policy and to ensuring that our country is prepared to respond to new and emerging threats in the current geopolitical landscape — all while creating economic opportunities and jobs for Canadians," the news release said. The consultations will also look at how the military can continue to pivot toward the Indo-Pacific region. The government announced an Indo-Pacific Strategy last year, which largely focuses on the threat posed by China.

"China is an increasingly disruptive global power that increasingly disregards international rules and norms, and it is making large-scale investments to establish its military capabilities," Anand said. "In order to respond to global challenges like these and to protect Canadian interests both at home and abroad, we must build a Canadian Armed Forces ready for tomorrow."

Stéfanie von Hlatky, a professor at Queen's University and a Canada research chair on gender security and the armed forces, said the consultations are necessary given the ramped-up Russian war on Ukraine, internal issues in the armed forces, and other challenges too. I think there were certain strains as well on personnel issues that needed to be addressed more fully than individual reviews," she said. Certainly, accompanied with a leadership crisis, this posed unique personnel challenges," she said in an interview.

Von Hlatky added that the consultations could put more emphasis on important issues like modernizing the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). North American continental defense was in the spotlight recently when the Canadian and American militaries identified several suspected Chinese spy balloons, which were later shot down. Eyre has also expressed concern about Russian and Chinese threats to the Arctic.

"Certainly, we see how important that dimension of Canadian defense policy has been in the last year," von Hlatky said. Von Hlatky said the most important priority for the military is boosting combat readiness through recruitment and addressing cultural issues in the CAF.

"I know there's often a temptation to frame all of these priorities as separate, but to me, they're all interrelated and equally important," she said. "I know it's going to require more resources, but I think the threat environment requires it."

Charlotte Duval-Lantoine, a fellow at the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, said the consultations could boost public faith and trust in the military. "It's going to be complicated to get something that Canadians will accept if they haven't been consulted and heard," she told CBC News. "I think it's an exercise in democracy."

Duval-Lantoine said the military should focus on building a better culture and providing support services. "When we talk about operational effectiveness, we usually think about equipment and infrastructure, but it's really the people that make all of this happen," she said.

[several-large-luxury-sedans]

The Rangers live and train in their AOs full time. They are literally the SMEs on arctic survival and warfare.

Are you surprised that this GOC website doesn't do them justice?

[mariacallous]

The Kyiv Independent Ukraine Daily: Friday, November 25

Forbes estimates Russia has spent $82 billion on war with Ukraine since Feb. 24. During nine months of its full-scale attack on Ukraine, Russia has spent $82 billion on war, which is a quarter of its annual budget, according to Forbes. They calculated that Russia has used 10,000 to 50,000 shells per day in the war, and the average price of a Soviet-caliber shell [sic] is about $1,000. It brings Russia's spending to more than $5.5 billion on artillery supplies alone.

Zelensky: Reports of Russian attacks on liberated Kherson Oblast come ‘almost every hour.’ In an address on Nov. 24, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the frequent attacks started after Russian forces were forced to withdraw from Kherson Oblast. “Only the liberation of our land and reliable security guarantees for Ukraine can protect our people from any escalation by Russia,” he said. “We are working with our partners every day for this.”

Ukraine retrieves 50 POWs from Russian captivity. Among those released in the prisoner exchange were 19 defenders of Mariupol, including 12 who participated in the battle of Azovstal, 15 people who were taken prisoner at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, and seven from Zmiinyi Island.

UK defense secretary urges Ukraine to 'keep up the momentum.' UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace told The Daily Beast in an interview that it is time for Ukraine to press its advantage in the face of "the poorly trained, poorly equipped" Russian Armed Forces. "Given the advantage the Ukrainians have in equipment, training and quality of their personnel against the demoralized, poorly trained, poorly equipped Russians, it would be in Ukraine’s interest to maintain momentum through the winter,” Wallace was quoted as saying. “They have 300,000 pieces of arctic warfare kit, from the international community”—a crucial requirement for any winter offensive."

DTEK: Electricity for Kyiv residents to be reduced to 2-3 hours daily until power fully restored. Dmytro Saharuk, the executive director of Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK, said on Nov. 24 that the city’s critical infrastructure has partially been restored. Saharuk said electricity has been restored to around 30% of the city’s residents. DTEK will reportedly revert back to scheduled power outages once the system is stabilized.

Energoatom: Ukrainian nuclear power plants begin to resume operation after Russia's Nov. 23 mass missile strikes. Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant received power for its in-house needs, and soft launch operations are being carried out at the power units at three Ukrainian-controlled nuclear power plants – Rivne, South Ukraine, and Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine's nuclear energy company Energoatom reported.

Intelligence: Russia needs a week to prepare next mass attack on Ukraine. Russian reserves of high-precision weapons are exhausted, but the country still has many less accurate missiles left, according to Andrii Yusov, a spokesman of Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate.

The human cost of Russia’s war

Reuters: Official says more than 15,000 people missing in war in Ukraine. More than 15,000 people are documented to have gone missing during the war in Ukraine, an official with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) said on Nov. 24. Matthew Holliday, the ICMP's programme director for Europe, said it was unclear how many people were held in detention, had been forcibly transferred, were alive and separated from their family members, or had died and had been buried in makeshift graves.

7 killed, 21 injured following Russian attacks on liberated Kherson. Russian forces carried out 17 attacks on the city of Kherson throughout Nov. 24 using artillery and multiple rocket launchers. Kherson Oblast Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych reported that 7 people were killed and 21 wounded following Russia's attacks. "Today is another terrible page in the history of our hero city," Yanushevych said on Telegram.

Death toll of Russia's Nov. 23 missile strike on Vyshhorod rises to 6. Thirty people were injured as a result of the attack, Kyiv Oblast Police Chief Andrii Nebytov said. A Nov. 23 Russian missile attack hit a residential area in Vyshhorod, Kyiv Oblast, destroying infrastructure and killing civilians.

Russia’s recent attacks kill 2, injure 3 in Donetsk Oblast. In the past 24 hours, Russian forces killed two civilians in Bakhmut and wounded three in other settlements of Donetsk Oblast, the oblast governor, Pavlo Kyrylenko, reported on Nov. 24.

Ukrainian authorities discover 9 torture chambers in liberated Kherson Oblast. The bodies of 432 civilians killed during the Russian occupation were also found in the liberated territories of the oblast, Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin reported on Nov. 24.

International response

BBC: UK foreign secretary visits Kyiv, pledges more support. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly travelled to Kyiv on Nov. 25 where he is set to hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky. While in the capital, Cleverly announced the UK will send 24 ambulances to Ukraine, and other 11 emergency vehicles, including six armored vehicles, which will be part of the emergency package.

Lithuanians complete crowdfunding for 3rd maritime drone for Ukraine. The Lithuanian public has crowdfunded $750,000 to purchase three maritime drones for Ukraine, according to Lithuanian TV anchor Andrius Tapinas.

Romania, Moldova, Ireland recognize Holodomor as genocide against Ukrainian people. On Nov. 24, the parliaments of Ireland and Moldova recognized Holodomor, the manufactured famine of Ukrainians by the Soviet authorities, which killed millions in 1932-1933, as genocide of Ukrainian people. The Romanian parliament also recognized the Soviet genocide on the day prior.

[rhysintherain]

humans can only clothe themselves with animal organs! dogs are only socially fulfilled by humans! im very smart!

You don't appear to be, but I guess everyone's entitled to their (idiot) opinions...

Anyway, this gives me a good excuse to summarise why I have a problem with animal rights movements, namely the fact that they have absolutely no respect for humans.

You clowns feel like it's morally correct to troll people on the internet because we disagree with you (you obviously know it's not, otherwise why hide your username?) You think bullying, marginalising, and threatening violence against people is okay if it means you prove your point, even in the face of mountains of evidence that demonstrates how wrong you are.

The people who advocate for an end to all forms of animal 'exploitation', by and large, aren't people who interact with animals on a daily basis. They're not people who are directly involved in the care of farm animals, the protection of wildlife, or the training and breeding of pets. They're not people who have ever hunted grouse, butchered a pig, or tanned a moose hide. That level of removal from interspecies relationships leads to a lot of unrealistic and absolutely false beliefs about animals and how we engage with them.

Take the people who claim you grind up bees to get honey, or who believe shearing a sheep and skinning a sheep are the same thing (with wasn't a fringe idea, that was put forward by PETA). It's easy to prove these extreme examples false, but lots of people still believe them. How many other things do you not understand about animals because you've never been close enough to them to learn? How many more lies is your cause selling you to gain support, that you don't know better than to believe?

And what's the best way to drum up unquestioning support from people who don't know better? You make them angry.

That unjustified rage, fuelled by pictures of cute baby animals and graphic gore, is usually directed at people who are already marginalised.

I've heard animal rights extremists suggest that independent farmers (my family included) should be sentenced to life in prison for owning and managing livestock.

I've read articles flippantly suggesting that Inuit communities above the arctic circle, living below the poverty line, should be forced to ship vegetables thousands of kilometers (using fossil fuels) at great expense, because their health and ability to afford basic necessities is less important than the lives of a few sustainably hunted seals.

I've watched protesters screaming slurs hold signs that called for Indigenous people to be hunted for sport over a legal, humanely undertaken, and culturally vital whale hunt. That hunt was postponed several times, because extremists (who claimed they were there to preserve life) tried to capsize sea canoes full of people.

It takes almost nothing to push the animal rights movement to violent racism, class warfare, and abuses of human rights. Where does that hatred come from? How can you care about any kind of life when you meet the concerns of human beings who tell you you're hurting them with dehumanising mental gymnastics and vicious attacks?

So why should I indulge this bullshit? Why would I trust the opinions of people who who have no experience with animals over my own lived experience? Why would I care what your lot think, when you'd happily let people I care about die to uphold your faulty belief that humans are somehow better than nature and can opt out of our relationships with other species on a whim?

If anyone wants sources they can ask for them off anon. Otherwise google it like a big kid. It takes literally 30 seconds to verify that animal rights extremists do more harm (to people and animals) than good.