Tag: China Watch

Posted on

U.S. Navy’s Readiness Questioned – Admiral Samuel Paparo Provides Key Insights

The U.S. Navy’s readiness is being tested as China continues to build up its naval forces and threatens Taiwan. These concerns were highlighted in a recent 60 Minutes story featuring Admiral Samuel Paparo, onboard the USS Nimitz, deployed near the U.S. territory of Guam, southeast of Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China, or PRC.

Admiral Samuel Paparo commands the U.S. Pacific Fleet, whose 200 ships and 150,000 sailors and civilians make up 60% of the entire U.S. Navy.

“The Navy’s always on alert. One third of the Navy is always deployed and operating at all times. The Navy’s mustering right now about 300 ships, and there are about 100 ships at sea right now all around the globe.” – Admiral Samuel Paparo.

The story emphasized the challenge posed by China’s rapidly growing navy, which now boasts the world’s largest fleet of ships.

CBS 60 minutes with Admiral Samuel Paparo

“The Chinese have made a great effort over the last decade-plus to modernize their navy, and in many cases to achieve parity with us.” – Admiral Samuel Paparo.

The 60 Minutes story also emphasized the need for the U.S. to maintain a strong and capable navy in the face of China’s rise, while also working with its allies in the region to counter China’s ambitions. The story also discussed the situation in Taiwan, where tensions have been rising as China increases its military activities in the region.

“I’ll tell you this: we are here to stay, right, in the South China Sea, and in this part of the world. And I think that’s the message that we really want to convey to not only China, but the entire world. We will sail wherever international law allows.” – Lt. Cmdr. David Ash.

Key takeaways from the story include:

  • The need to increase the Navy’s readiness through more training and better equipment, as well as concerns about a shortage of ships and the impact of budget cuts on the Navy’s ability to maintain its readiness.
  • The saying, which is, “Si Pacem, Para Bellum,” which is, “If you want peace, prepare for war.” Admiral Samuel Paparo.

About Si vis pacem, para bellum

This ancient Latin adage means “If you want peace, prepare for war.” For additional information on this topic click here for earlier post from the Americans for a Stronger Navy blog.

Amidst these challenges, organizations such as the Americans for a Stronger Navy will advocate for a stronger and better-equipped Navy.

The mission of the Americans for a Stronger Navy is to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of a strong Navy to national security and economic prosperity.

On behalf of the members of the Americans for Stronger Navy, we would like to salute both Admiral Samuel Paparo, Lt. Cmdr. David Ash, the entire crew for their service and CBS 60 Minutes for covering this important story.

“It is crucial to raise awareness about the threats facing the U.S. Navy and the need to maintain a strong and capable naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region.” – Americans for a Stronger Navy.

Admiral Samuel Paparo

More about Adm. Samuel Paparo

Adm. Samuel Paparo, a native of Morton, Pennsylvania graduated from Villanova University and was commissioned in 1987. He is the son of a former enlisted Marine and the grandson of a World War II enlisted Sailor. He has earned a Master of Arts in International Studies from Old Dominion University and a Master of Science in Systems Analysis from the Naval Postgraduate School.

A U.S. Naval Aviator, he is a TOPGUN graduate and has flown over 6,000 hours in the F-14, F-15 and F/A-18 and 1,100 carrier landings.

Operational command tours at sea include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 in the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Yokosuka, Japan, deploying in Kitty Hawk Strike Group; VFA 106, NAS Oceana, Va; Commander, Carrier Air Wing 7, embarked in Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group and Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10.

Other operational assignments at sea include Fighter Squadron (VF) 14, flying the F-14 Tomcat with USS John F. Kennedy and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Groups and VFA-15, flying the F/A-18 Hornet with USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Enterprise Strike Groups.

In joint operational service, he was Director of Operations (J3) at U.S. Central Command, Tampa, Florida; Battle Director at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center, Al Udeid, Qatar; and Commanding Officer of Provincial Reconstruction Team, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan with the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. He served also on exchange duty with the U.S. Air Force flying the F-15C Eagle with the 71st Fighter Squadron, deploying multiple times to Saudi Arabia and Keflavik, Iceland.

Shore assignments include the staff of Commander, Naval Air Forces, as F/A-18 training, readiness and requirements officer. He was Programming Division (OPNAV N80), Strategy and Resource and Requirements Review Board branch head.

Executive staff tours include service as executive assistant to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and executive assistant to the 31st Chief of Naval Operations.

His most recent assignment was commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, Manama, Bahrain.

Source: US Navy

Posted on

Fast Warship Building

Dry Dock Charleston

The article “How Fast Can We Build Warships Today?” discusses the challenges of rapidly building warships in times of crisis, specifically in response to China’s increasing naval power. The author notes that the US Navy’s shipbuilding process is currently slow and inefficient, with complex procurement procedures and limited shipyards.

Key takeaways from the article include:

  • The US Navy needs to be able to rapidly increase its shipbuilding capabilities to counter China’s growing naval power.
  • Current shipbuilding processes are slow and inefficient, and the Navy needs to streamline its procurement procedures and expand its shipyard capacity.
  • Private shipyards could play a larger role in building warships for the Navy.
  • Building a large number of smaller, simpler warships may be a more effective strategy than building a few large, complex ones.

Credit: The National Review, a conservative media outlet that covers politics, policy, and culture. The article was written by Jerry Hendrix, a retired Navy captain and former director of the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Posted on

Increased Cyber-attacks and other Forms of Aggression to U.S.

Republican lawmakers have sounded the alarm on the growing threats to the US from China, Russia, and Iran according to news reports today. The lawmakers released a report highlighting the challenges faced by the US military, including increased cyber-attacks and other forms of aggression.

Some of the key takeaways from the report include the need to increase funding for the military to counter these threats, the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges posed by China and Russia, and the need to prioritize cybersecurity to prevent future attacks.

This report is of interest to Americans for a Stronger Navy because it underscores the importance of a strong and well-funded military, particularly in the face of growing foreign threats. As one of the primary advocates for a stronger Navy, this report reinforces the need for continued investment in naval power to protect American interests both at home and abroad.

Posted on

The Unsung Heroes of World War II: The Collaborative Effort of the U.S., the U.K., and Australia in Defeating the Axis Powers

Press reports from Politico reflect that a plan by the United States, Australia, and the U.K are to share submarine technology as part of a strategic effort to counter Chinese naval power in the Pacific. The three countries have agreed to deepen their defense cooperation and share information on the development of new submarines, including advanced propulsion systems and stealth technology. The plan is aimed at strengthening the allies’ ability to detect and deter Chinese submarines, which have become increasingly active in the region. The article also notes that the plan is likely to further strain the already tense relationship between the three allies and China.

Takeaways:

  • The US, Australia, and the UK plan to share submarine technology as a strategic effort to counter Chinese naval power in the Pacific.
  • The plan includes deepening defense cooperation and sharing information on the development of new submarines with advanced propulsion systems and stealth technology.
  • The aim is to strengthen the allies’ ability to detect and deter Chinese submarines that have become increasingly active in the region.
  • The plan is likely to further strain the already tense relationship between the three allies and China.

The Power of Collaboration: The Story of the U.S., the U.K., and Australia in World War

Historical Context

  • The U.S., the U.K., and Australia collaborated in World War II to defeat the Axis powers.
  • The allies faced significant challenges, including the threat posed by German U-boats in the Atlantic.
  • The U.S. and the U.K. developed a plan to build aircraft carriers capable of tracking and destroying enemy subs
  • Australia provided the necessary shipbuilding expertise to build two carriers, which played a key role in the final months of the war.
  • The collaboration between the three nations continued after the war and remains strong today, reflecting the enduring power of collaboration and shared values.
  • In the early days of World War II, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia came together in a collaborative effort to defeat the Axis powers. The three nations formed an alliance that would prove to be instrumental in turning the tide of the war.

As the war raged on, the Allies faced numerous challenges and setbacks. One of the most significant was the threat posed by German U-boats, which were wreaking havoc on Allied shipping in the Atlantic. To combat this threat, the U.S. and the U.K. came up with a plan to build a new type of vessel – an aircraft carrier that could launch planes capable of tracking and destroying enemy subs.

The U.S. and the U.K. quickly realized that they didn’t have the resources to build these carriers on their own. They needed help from a nation with a strong naval tradition and the necessary shipbuilding expertise. That nation was Australia.

Australia eagerly joined the project and quickly set to work building two of these new carriers – the HMAS Melbourne and the HMAS Sydney. The carriers were launched in 1945 and played a key role in the final months of the war, helping to track down and destroy numerous German U-boats.

The collaboration between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia didn’t end with the war, however. In the years that followed, the three nations continued to work closely together on a wide range of issues, from defense to trade and beyond.

Today, the bond between the U.S., the U.K., and Australia remains strong, a testament to the enduring power of collaboration and the shared values that unite us all.

Posted on

Chinese Ships Suspected as Cutting Internet to Taiwan’s Outlying Islands

Several news sources including a report from ABC News, report that Chinese ships have cut the internet access to Taiwan’s outlying islands, which are located close to China. The disruption has affected around 6,000 people, who are now unable to access the internet or make phone calls. The Taiwanese government has condemned the move and said that it is a violation of international law. The incident comes amid rising tensions between China and Taiwan, which Beijing considers a renegade province.

  • Chinese ships have cut off internet access to Taiwan’s outlying islands, affecting about 6,000 people according press report
  • The move has been condemned by the Taiwanese government as a violation of international law.
  • This incident occurs amidst growing tensions between China and Taiwan.
Posted on

Secretary of the Navy warns China’s warship production outpacing US, emphasizes need for acceleration

Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro

The Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, has expressed concerns over China’s faster production of warships, which could impact the future of the US Navy. Del Toro has called for an acceleration of efforts to keep up with China’s naval modernization by building more warships and expanding its fleet. The report emphasizes the significance of the US Navy’s industrial base in supporting the production of advanced naval technologies. Del Toro made these remarks during a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Takeaways

The Secretary of the Navy has warned that China is outpacing the US in warship production, posing a threat to American naval supremacy.

The US needs to accelerate its efforts to keep up with China’s naval modernization, including building more warships and expanding its fleet.

The US Navy’s industrial base is crucial in supporting the production of advanced naval technologies.

These remarks were made by the Secretary of the Navy during a speech at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

Posted on

Chinese boats harass Philippines

The Philippines has reported that it is monitoring dozens of armed Chinese fishing vessels around a disputed island in the South China Sea, with the boats being part of China’s “gray zone” efforts to assert sweeping claims in the energy-rich waters. The unmarked fishing boats, accompanied by a naval and coast guard presence, were described as “a form of harassment” by a Philippine official. China’s ambitious maritime and territorial claims were dismissed in 2016 by an arbitral tribunal in The Hague, but China has rejected the verdict, leading to tensions with the US, which is committed to freedom of the seas.

Posted on

Chinese vessels near Philippines

Thitu Island, NASA • Public domain

The Philippines has reported the presence of a Chinese navy ship and 42 Chinese maritime militia vessels around Thitu island, a Philippine-occupied island in the South China Sea according to press reports by Reuters.

Thitu is the Philippines’ largest and most strategically important outpost in the disputed region. The Chinese embassy in Manila has not responded to the assertion. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has previously stated that the Philippines “will not lose an inch” of territory and has protested against China’s “aggressive activities” in the area according to press reports.

Posted on

Iran and China join Russia in dredging Volga River, strengthening anti-Western alliance says reports

The Iran Marine Industrial Company is repairing a Russian ship that crashed into ice on the Volga River and is joining China in helping Russia dredge the Volga-Caspian Seaway Canal, further strengthening the emerging Moscow-Tehran axis, integrating Iran into the Russian-Chinese alliance, and threatening Ukraine. The involvement of China and Iran in the dredging project benefits Moscow’s ability to address bottlenecks, while allowing larger naval vessels from Russia’s Caspian Flotilla to transit to the Sea of Azov. The move will also counter Western influence and integrate Iran into the Russian-Chinese alliance in the military and economic spheres. The Kremlin’s decision to involve Iran in the dredging project will give Russia the advanced ability to project force westward more quickly. The author of the article is Paul Goble and it was published in Eurasia Daily Monitor and the Jamestown Foundation.

Posted on

South China Sea – Chinese Fighter Jet Intercepted

A CNN crew aboard a US Navy reconnaissance jet witnessed a Chinese fighter jet intercepting their plane over the South China Sea. The Chinese fighter jet was so close that the CNN crew could see the pilots turning their heads to look at them. The Chinese fighter jet armed with air-to-air missiles escorted the US plane for 15 minutes before turning away. The incident reveals the tensions simmering between the US and China in the South China Sea. China claims historic jurisdiction over almost the entirety of the South China Sea, which is a major potential flashpoint in the Asia Pacific. Islands in the South China Sea, like the Paracels near which the US Navy plane was intercepted, are the subject of overlapping territorial claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan.