5 Special Operations soldiers killed in helicopter crash in the Mediterranean Sea

STUTTGART, Germany — Five U.S. service members were killed when their aircraft went down during a training mission in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, the U.S. military said Sunday.

The crash occurred during a routine air refueling operation on Friday evening, U.S. European Command said in a statement. Search and rescue efforts began immediately after the incident and involved U.S. aircraft and ships operating in the area, EUCOM said.

The troops were Army Special Operations soldiers flying aboard a MH-60 helicopter when it went down off the coast of Cyprus, the New York Times reported, citing unnamed U.S. officials.

In response to Israel’s war with Hamas, the Pentagon has dispatched teams from the Joint Special Operations Command, including the Army’s Delta Force and the Navy’s SEAL Team 6, to Cyprus, the Times reported. Their role is to be on alert in the event Americans need to be evacuated from the region.

The Times said that the helicopter crew members who died were aviators assigned to transport special operators for secret missions.

EUCOM said it was withholding the names of the troops until 24 hours after next of kin notifications have been completed.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen,” EUCOM said. “An investigation into the crash is underway.”

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin said in a statement Sunday that he and the Pentagon “mourn the tragic loss of five U.S. service members.”

“We will remember their service and their sacrifice,” he said.

In an earlier statement on Saturday, EUCOM emphasized that the mishap happened during training and that there wasn’t an indication of hostile activity.

The incident comes during a time of high tension in the Eastern Mediterranean, where the Pentagon has moved substantial forces in the aftermath of Israel’s war with Hamas. Just last week, two Navy aircraft carriers, involving some 11,000 U.S. personnel, launched aircraft and practiced missile defense during a three-day exercise in the area.

EUCOM did not identify the type of plane involved in the crash, but the KC-135 Stratotanker is the military’s main air refueling aircraft.

It wasn’t clear whether the air refueling exercise was related to carrier group activities in the region.

In addition to Navy warships, the U.S. has also moved an array of ground defenses into the Middle East in an effort to defend U.S. forces in the region and deter a wider war.

The hostilities in Gaza have had indirect repercussions for U.S. forces elsewhere.

Since mid-October, militant groups aligned with Iran have repeatedly targeted U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, resulting in more than 50 American troops being injured, according to the Pentagon.

U.S. Sixth Fleet Conducts Bilateral, Dual-Carrier Operations in Eastern Mediterranean Sea

U.S. Navy press release

Sailors and naval aviators from the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Carrier Strike Group (CSG 12) and those of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Carrier Strike Group (CSG 2) trained on high-value unit defense, ballistic missile defense, replenishments-at-sea, cross-deck flight operations, and maritime security operations.

They were joined by USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) – the U.S. Sixth Fleet Command and Control ship – and the Italian Navy frigates ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591) and ITS Carlo Margottini (F 592).

“Operating and training alongside each other demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s ability to seamlessly accomplish multiple missions, deter aggression and support our allies and partners,” said Rear Adm. Erik Eslich, Commander of CSG 12.

More than 11,000 U.S personnel participated in the three-day exercises.



The Italian ships Fasan and Margottini joined the two carrier strike groups to exercise NATO alliance integration. Fasan also participated in Composite Unit Training Exercise with the Eisenhower strike group earlier this year.



The ships of the Gerald R. Ford strike group have participated in multiple operations and exercises throughout the Sixth Fleet area of responsibility, including Sage Wolverine, Baltic Operations 2023, exercise Air Defender 2023, and NATO enhanced vigilance activity Neptune Strike, as well as operations with 17 countries in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa/U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations.

The Gerald R. Ford strike group is comprised of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the Information Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60).

The ships of DESRON-2 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), and USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117).

The Dwight D. Eisenhower strike group is comprised of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN69), the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), the guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 with its nine squadrons.

– End –

Austin Encouraged After Biden Secures China's Pledge to Resume Mil-to-Mil Talks

Austin welcomed the progress while in Jakarta, Indonesia – the final leg of his ninth official visit to the Indo-Pacific. The visit showcased the growing cooperation among the U.S. and its like-minded partners in the region.

"As you know, we had been open to meeting with [Chinese leaders] here in Jakarta, but we're encouraged by recent news from the White House on the planned resumption of military-to-military communications," Austin said.

"You've heard me say before that there is no substitute for consistent and substantive dialogue between senior leaders," he said. "So, we'll continue to seek practical discussions with [the Chinese] from a senior leader level to the working level."

The plan to resume military-to-military talks at senior levels, including between theater commanders, was one of several agreements reached during Biden's meeting with Xi on Wednesday in Woodside, Calif.

The two leaders also discussed the resumption of bilateral efforts to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking, including fentanyl. They also discussed the need to address the risks of advanced artificial intelligence systems and improve artificial intelligence safety.

Defense officials have repeatedly raised concerns over China's lack of communication with U.S. military leaders, noting that Beijing has consistently denied or ignored U.S. requests for defense engagements at multiple levels.

Those concerns have been amplified as U.S. officials observe increasingly provocative and risky behavior on the part of China's military.

Defense officials have noted a steep rise in risky and aggressive intercepts by China's military of U.S. aircraft operating in international airspace in accordance with international law.

According to the most recent China Military Power Report, the U.S. has documented more than 180 coercive and risky air intercepts against U.S. aircraft in the region between 2021 and 2023.

That is more risky intercepts in the past two years than in the past decade, according to the report.

Austin said today that, while it is too soon to tell whether China's pledge to resume military-to-military dialogue signals a broader intent to dial back provocations in the region, it is critical that the two countries maintain open lines of communication.

"I won't make any predictions about China's future behavior," Austin said. "What I will say is that we will continue to need the mechanism to manage crises and make sure we prevent things from spiraling out of control from time to time."

"That's even more important if activities in the region have increased – if unhelpful things like close intercepts ... have increased" he said. "[That's] all the more reason that senior leaders need to be able to talk to each other."

China's increasingly provocative behavior, however, has far from derailed U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific as evidenced by Austin's latest trip to the region.

Austin visited India, South Korea and Indonesia, where he engaged with counterparts throughout the region and continued what defense officials describe as historic momentum with allies and partners throughout the region.

While in India, Austin met with Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh amid what Austin described as a "transformative period in U.S.-India relations" as the two countries expand their defense industrial cooperation and enhance interoperability between their militaries.

Those discussions culminated in a new agreement to move forward with the coproduction of armored infantry vehicles, the leaders announced, building upon progress highlighted this summer when the two countries announced they would partner in producing jet engines.

The countries also discussed steps to strengthen supply chain security and integrate the distribution of goods from U.S. and Indian firms, Austin said following today's talks.

While in South Korea, Austin held talks with South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru.

Those discussions built upon the progress made in deepening the ties among the three countries at the August summit among President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at Camp David, Maryland.

Austin also participated alongside his South Korean counterpart in the 55th Security Consultative Meeting, an annual capstone event marking the long-standing U.S.-South Korean defense relationship.

This year's meeting built upon Biden and Yoon's commitment to further bolstering the U.S.-South Korean alliance amid growing nuclear threats posed by North Korea.

During the session, Austin and his South Korean counterpart shared their vision for the future of the alliance, which they recognize as a "staple for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region and a stalwart protector of international norms."

Austin also participated in the inaugural United Nations Command defense ministers' meeting on his final day in South Korea.

In Indonesia, he attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus.

The summit includes representation from China, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand in addition to the 10 ASEAN member states and the U.S.

During the forum, Austin held bilateral discussions with his counterparts from the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.

The secretary also participated in an informal meeting with ASEAN counterparts where he detailed plans to implement the U.S.-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

That partnership includes the emerging leaders defense program and a new gender adviser initiative that the U.S. will support alongside ASEAN partners.

"A common thread across all of my engagements here in Indonesia, in the Republic of Korea and India, has been our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific," Austin said. "We've heard our allies and partners express their support for this goal and we're working closely with our ASEAN friends to promote a regional order based on the rule of law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity."

He added that the engagements mark a continuation of what has been "an historic year" of initiatives to advance defense and security cooperation throughout the region, adding that the U.S. will continue to make progress with like-minded partners throughout the region.

"We have been out in the region, throughout," Austin said. "Even though we're busy in Europe [and] we're busy in the Middle East, we're here in the Indo-Pacific."

"This is my ninth trip to the region as secretary of defense," he said. "I think that sends a powerful message and reassures our allies and partners."

JAKARTA: Asean Defence Ministers have called for the swift establishment of a humanitarian corridor to facilitate unimpeded delivery of aid to those affected by the conflict in Gaza.

They raised their growing concerns over the escalating situation in the Middle East during the 17th Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and 10th ADMM-plus meeting, according to the chairman’s statement.

Stressing the seriousness, the statement said member states also urged for immediate attention and constructive dialogue to address the ongoing conflict.

“The meeting supported the initiation of peace negotiations aimed at achieving a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders in accordance with international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” the statement read, Bernama reported.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and his Asean counterparts met for a two-day meeting, chaired by Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, which concluded on Thursday.

The ministers also confirmed their support for the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council Leaders’ statement on Gaza’s development and the Asean Foreign Ministers’ statement on the recent escalation of armed conflicts in the Middle East.The meeting called for an immediate, lasting humanitarian truce, prioritising civilian protection, including Asean nationals, and an unconditional release of hostages.

It urged the United Nations, especially the Security Council, to prevent conflict escalation and emphasise protecting civilians, especially Palestinians.

AUSTRALIA, March 21, 2022 – Boeing [NYSE:BA] Australia congratulates the Australian Government and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) on their selection of ‘MQ-28A Ghost Bat’ as the military designator and name for the first Australian-produced military combat aircraft in over 50 years.

Australia’s Defence Minister, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, announced the designator and name at a dedicated ceremony held at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland.

“The introduction of the new popular name is a rare and special moment in aviation history for our RAAF partners and industry team of over 35 Australian suppliers,” said Glen Ferguson, director Airpower Teaming System Australia and International.

“Selecting the Ghost Bat, an Australian native mammal known for teaming together in a pack to detect and hunt, reflects the unique characteristics of the aircraft’s sensors and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance abilities, and is a fitting name for this pioneering capability,” said Ferguson.

With a rapid development timetable of just three years from ideation to first flight, the development program leverages advancements in digital engineering, advanced manufacturing and unique Australian supply chain technologies.

While the RAAF Loyal Wingman development program name will phase out, Boeing’s product name for global customers will remain the Airpower Teaming System.

“Our enduring partnership with Commonwealth of Australia and Australian Defence Force (ADF) is fundamental to the successful development of MQ-28A’s complex technologies and capabilities, and has global export potential for Australia,” said Dr Brendan Nelson AO, president Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific.

During 2022, the program will continue to accelerate the development and testing of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, with a focus on sensor and missionisation capabilities to deliver on RAAF commitments. These requirements will continue to expand as Boeing moves towards the aim of delivering an operational capability for the ADF.

For more information about the Boeing Airpower Teaming System, visit https://www.boeing.com/defense/airpower-teaming-system/.

For more information on Defense, Space & Security, visit www.boeing.com. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense and @BoeingSpace.

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com.

The government of Australia has announced an additional allocation of $399 million towards the ongoing development of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

Developed in tandem with Boeing Defence Australia, the MQ-28A aims to act as a so-called ‘loyal wingman’, safeguarding and assisting military assets and pilots by engaging in various missions, including combat duties.

The 11.7-meter (38-foot) long unmanned aerial vehicle will be capable of providing fighter-like performance, with a range of over 3,700 kilometers (2,000 nautical miles). Its missions will cover intelligence support, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare.

The next phase of the program will focus on delivering three Block 2 aircraft. equipped with new sensor and mission payloads, an integrated combat system and autonomous functionalities.

“This is the first military aircraft to be designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years and underscores the depth of innovation and expertise in our defence industry,” said Pat Conroy, Australian Minister for the Defence Industry.

The Loyal Wingman drone successfully completed its maiden flight in March 2021. Thanks to artificial intelligence, it should eventually be able to fly both autonomously or in support of other manned or unmanned aircraft, in swarms of four to six units.

https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/australi...host-bat-drones