Lord of War is Back 🚨 SA-17 🚨 F-16 Shoot Down

Forwarded this email? Sign up here
Edited by: Sidney McAlear

No Newsletter for 21 Oct…we will be back on the 28th.

HISTORY OF THE DAY

Operation Urgent Fury (1983)

In October 1983, the United States launched Operation Urgent Fury, a military intervention in Grenada, a small Caribbean island nation. The operation was initiated following a coup that resulted in the execution of Grenada's Prime Minister, Maurice Bishop, and the establishment of a Marxist government. Concerns over the safety of American medical students on the island and the potential for increased Soviet and Cuban influence in the region prompted U.S. action.

The invasion began on October 25, 1983, involving approximately 7,600 U.S. troops alongside forces from neighboring Caribbean nations. The operation aimed to restore order, protect American citizens, and establish a stable government. Despite initial challenges, including poor intelligence and coordination issues, U.S. forces quickly secured key objectives.

Operation Urgent Fury resulted in the successful evacuation of American citizens and the eventual establishment of a pro-U.S. government in Grenada. The operation faced criticism for its execution and perceived violation of international law, but was ultimately deemed a strategic success by U.S. officials.

“Rumor Mill:” According to the tale, a U.S. Army officer, unable to communicate with naval forces for air support due to poor military communication systems, used a civilian payphone to call back to the United States. The officer reportedly contacted his unit's operations center at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, which then relayed the request through several channels until it reached the aircraft carrier USS Independence for assistance.

While this story has been popularized over the years, the actual event involved a SEAL Team 6 officer who used a regular telephone at the Governor-General's residence in Grenada. The officer called back to Hurlburt Field in Florida using his credit card to request air support from AC-130 gunships when their communication equipment failed.

THREAT OF THE DAY…via Wikipedia

Name: Buk-M1-2 | Buk-M2
Country of Origin: Russia
NATO Designation: SA-17 Grizzly
Initial Operating Capability (IOC): 1998
Proliferation Countries: Russia, Kazakhstan
Range: Up to 50 kilometers (approximately 27 nautical miles)
Altitude: Capable of engaging targets at altitudes between 10 and 24,000 meters (approximately 32 to 78,740 feet)
Targeting Capabilities: The SA-17 Grizzly can engage up to 24 targets simultaneously from any direction. It is designed to defeat strategic and tactical aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, air-launched missiles, guided aerial bombs, and helicopters, even in environments with heavy electronic countermeasures.
Mobility: The system is mounted on a tracked chassis, providing mobility across various terrains. It can achieve speeds of up to 65 km/h on roads and 45 km/h cross-country, with a maximum operational range of 500 km. The design includes protection against small arms fire and NBC attacks.

“Fun” Facts: The SA-17 Grizzly is an upgraded version of the Buk-M1 system and features advanced radar technology capable of tracking and illuminating multiple targets. It has a robust anti-jamming capability and can operate effectively in harsh electronic warfare conditions. The system's ability to intercept low-altitude anti-ship missiles is a rare feature not commonly found in other missile systems.

FLIGHT LINE

🎯 Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Involved Again | Viktor Bout, the notorious Russian arms dealer who was traded for WNBA star Brittney Griner, is now reportedly selling weapons to Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

🎯 “My Ears Hurt….” - Vermont | The Sound of Freedom continues to bug residents of Vermont. Vermont Air National Guard’s F-35 mission, based in South Burlington, has sparked mixed reactions among local residents, particularly in nearby Winooski. In 2023, the Burlington City Council voted to extend the Air National Guard’s lease for 25 more years.

🎯 Ukrainian F-16 Downs Russian Su-34 | Ukrainian forces reportedly shot down a Russian Su-34 fighter jet using an American-made F-16, according to a post on Telegram. The crew of the Russian aircraft was reportedly killed. The F-16s used by Ukraine are supplied (or eventually will be supplied) by Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark.

🎯 New Zealand Naval Ship Incident | A New Zealand naval ship ran aground, caught fire, and eventually sank (the first ship they have lost since WWII). The mishap occurred during operations, and while the crew was safely evacuated, the ship was a total loss.

🎯 Ukrainian Air Force Using New AIM-9X Block II Missiles | The Ukrainian Air Force has begun using advanced AIM-9X Block II missiles. These state-of-the-art missiles provide a high-off-bore-sight capability. The AIM-9X Block II is an upgraded version of the Sidewinder missile, offering advanced tracking and targeting features for greater effectiveness in combat.

🎯 USCG Icebreaker Healy Returns to Arctic Following Repair | The U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker Healy has been redeployed back to the Arctic to counter growing Chinese and Russian activities in the region. The USCG Healy is one of two icebreakers in the fleet and suffered a fire in August. Last week, China dispatched two Coast Guard vessels, the Meishan and Xiushan, to rejoin with Russian Coast Guard patrol vessels. Their operations are the furthest north that the USCG has observed Chinese operations.

🎯 A-29 Super Tucano Begins Testing at Edwards AFB | The U.S. Air Force has started testing the A-29 Super Tucano at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The light attack aircraft is being evaluated for its performance in various missions, including close air support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), and pilot training. The A-29 was part of the Air Force’s effort to find a “cheap,” off-the-shelf option to provide close air support to replace the A-10 and F-16. It was used to train Afghan and Nigerian pilots at Moody Air Force Base. The Air Force only purchased three.

🎯 New F-16 and F-22 Fighters Arrive at Kadena AFB | Kadena Air Base in Japan is hosting F-16 and F-22 fighter jets as part of a rotational deployment to maintain readiness in the Pacific region. Kadena was home to the F-15C, but in October of 2022, the Air Force announced the Eagle would be leaving Japan, and Theater Security Packages would ensure air superiority in the region until 36 F-15EXs eventually make Kadena their home.

🎯 U.S. Man Sentenced to Penal Colony in Russia | 72-year-old Stephen Hubbard has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for fighting as a mercenary in Russia. Hubbard was captured in April of 2022.

🎯 Protective Nets Considered for F-22s at Airbase Swarmed by Drones | U.S. military officials are considering the use of protective nets to shield F-22 fighters at an airbase that unidentified drones have flown over multiple times.