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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The US Army and its allies flew a HIMARS missile launcher in and out for fast, far-reaching strikes
The US Army and its allies practiced getting HIMARS in and out quickly on an Indo-Pacific island. Keeping land-based, long-range precision strikes mobile could be critical in a conflict. Rapid deployment and frequent movement increase survivability while allowing for increased range. The US Army and its allies recently pulled off a rapid missile launcher deployment to a remote Pacific island. It was a high-speed test of fire-and-move tactics and how they would bring long-range firepower to a future fight in the region. The test occurred last week and built on US military efforts to boost range, flexibility, and survivability for HIMARS and other weaponry in the region. During Talisman Sabre 2025, a joint exercise in Australia, a Royal Canadian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft flew a US Army M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, and Australian soldiers to Christmas Island for the test. The HIMARS launcher, along with a supporting communications vehicle, was flown to a forward airfield — extending the range of the munitions carried — and then driven to the simulated strike location. Afterwards, the vehicles were quickly packed up and flown out. Christmas Island, a strategic Australian territory in the northeastern Indian Ocean, sits near maritime routes that have grown more consequential as China expands its naval and military activities in the region. That buildup has raised concerns for regional powers like Australia and India, among other nations, watching China's presence in the Indian Ocean with increasing attention. Per the Australian Ministry of Defense, last week's operation demonstrated how the US and its allies can rapidly deploy and use land-based, long-range precision fires for deterrence. One key element is getting the weapon out of the position before an enemy can target it and conduct counter-battery fire. The US military and its allies and partners have been focused on this capability, prioritizing rapid deployment of HIMARS and other weapons to dispersed sites so that enemy forces would have a harder time tracking them than at fixed locations. HIMARS, as a flexible rocket artillery and missile platform, have value in the Pacific. They fire Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), and new Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). The latter is for land targets; however, it's been tested against sea targets. PrSM has a range of about 310 miles and is deemed more precise than its predecessor, the MGM-140 ATACMS. GMLRS have a standard range of about 43 miles; however, the extended one reaches out to 93 miles. Being able to rapidly deploy these weapons and others to island environments in the region offers the Army and its allies flexible strike options, including against naval targets. In June 2024, the Army tested the PrSM against a moving ship target off the coast of Palau in the Pacific. And earlier this month, the Army fired a Standard Missile-6 from the Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, missile system in Australia toward a maritime target, sinking it. US military officials have said that being mobile and rapidly relocatable is crucial in the Indo-Pacific, where US forces are bracing for potential conflict with China, recognized by the Pentagon as a premier threat and pacing challenge for the department. After last week's HIMARS test, Lt. Col. Ed Guelfi, of the US Army's 17th Field Artillery Brigade, said: "Collectively, we have rapidly deployed a HIMARS to demonstrate our ability to put combat power anywhere, at any time of our choosing." Read the original article on Business Insider
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
The US Army and its allies flew a HIMARS missile launcher in and out for fast, far-reaching strikes
The test occurred last week and built on US military efforts to boost range, flexibility, and survivability for HIMARS and other weaponry in the region. During Talisman Sabre 2025, a joint exercise in Australia, a Royal Canadian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft flew a US Army M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, and Australian soldiers to Christmas Island for the test. The HIMARS launcher, along with a supporting communications vehicle, was flown to a forward airfield — extending the range of the munitions carried — and then driven to the simulated strike location. Afterwards, the vehicles were quickly packed up and flown out. Christmas Island, a strategic Australian territory in the northeastern Indian Ocean, sits near maritime routes that have grown more consequential as China expands its naval and military activities in the region. That buildup has raised concerns for regional powers like Australia and India, among other nations, watching China's presence in the Indian Ocean with increasing attention. Per the Australian Ministry of Defense, last week's operation demonstrated how the US and its allies can rapidly deploy and use land-based, long-range precision fires for deterrence. One key element is getting the weapon out of the position before an enemy can target it and conduct counter-battery fire. The US military and its allies and partners have been focused on this capability, prioritizing rapid deployment of HIMARS and other weapons to dispersed sites so that enemy forces would have a harder time tracking them than at fixed locations. HIMARS, as a flexible rocket artillery and missile platform, have value in the Pacific. They fire Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), and new Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). The latter is for land targets; however, it's been tested against sea targets. PrSM has a range of about 310 miles and is deemed more precise than its predecessor, the MGM-140 ATACMS. GMLRS have a standard range of about 43 miles; however, the extended one reaches out to 93 miles. Being able to rapidly deploy these weapons and others to island environments in the region offers the Army and its allies flexible strike options, including against naval targets. In June 2024, the Army tested the PrSM against a moving ship target off the coast of Palau in the Pacific. And earlier this month, the Army fired a Standard Missile-6 from the Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, missile system in Australia toward a maritime target, sinking it. US military officials have said that being mobile and rapidly relocatable is crucial in the Indo-Pacific, where US forces are bracing for potential conflict with China, recognized by the Pentagon as a premier threat and pacing challenge for the department.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Insider
The US Army and its allies flew a HIMARS missile launcher in and out for fast, far-reaching strikes
The US Army and its allies recently pulled off a rapid missile launcher deployment to a remote Pacific island. It was a high-speed test of fire-and-move tactics and how they would bring long-range firepower to a future fight in the region. The test occurred last week and built on US military efforts to boost range, flexibility, and survivability for HIMARS and other weaponry in the region. During Talisman Sabre 2025, a joint exercise in Australia, a Royal Canadian Air Force C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft flew a US Army M142 High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, and Australian soldiers to Christmas Island for the test. The HIMARS launcher, along with a supporting communications vehicle, was flown to a forward airfield — extending the range of the munitions carried — and then driven to the simulated strike location. Afterwards, the vehicles were quickly packed up and flown out. Christmas Island, a strategic Australian territory in the northeastern Indian Ocean, sits near maritime routes that have grown more consequential as China expands its naval and military activities in the region. That buildup has raised concerns for regional powers like Australia and India, among other nations, watching China's presence in the Indian Ocean with increasing attention. Per the Australian Ministry of Defense, last week's operation demonstrated how the US and its allies can rapidly deploy and use land-based, long-range precision fires for deterrence. One key element is getting the weapon out of the position before an enemy can target it and conduct counter-battery fire. The US military and its allies and partners have been focused on this capability, prioritizing rapid deployment of HIMARS and other weapons to dispersed sites so that enemy forces would have a harder time tracking them than at fixed locations. HIMARS, as a flexible rocket artillery and missile platform, have value in the Pacific. They fire Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS), and new Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM). The latter is for land targets; however, it's been tested against sea targets. PrSM has a range of about 310 miles and is deemed more precise than its predecessor, the MGM-140 ATACMS. GMLRS have a standard range of about 43 miles; however, the extended one reaches out to 93 miles. Being able to rapidly deploy these weapons and others to island environments in the region offers the Army and its allies flexible strike options, including against naval targets. In June 2024, the Army tested the PrSM against a moving ship target off the coast of Palau in the Pacific. And earlier this month, the Army fired a Standard Missile-6 from the Mid-Range Capability, or Typhon, missile system in Australia toward a maritime target, sinking it. US military officials have said that being mobile and rapidly relocatable is crucial in the Indo-Pacific, where US forces are bracing for potential conflict with China, recognized by the Pentagon as a premier threat and pacing challenge for the department. After last week's HIMARS test, Lt. Col. Ed Guelfi, of the US Army's 17th Field Artillery Brigade, said: "Collectively, we have rapidly deployed a HIMARS to demonstrate our ability to put combat power anywhere, at any time of our choosing."
Calgary Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
'Gizmo', 'Satan,' and 'McLovin': Inside the changing world of pilot call signs at CFB Cold Lake
As far back as the Second World War, Canadian pilots have used call signs to identify themselves to colleagues in the air and on the ground. Article content Such short-hand monikers are used in official and unofficial communications as well as by Canada's allies, and have appeared in pop culture through films like Top Gun. Article content Article content The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) says call signs serve as more than identification markers, and reflect both generations of aviation heritage as well as the contemporary pilots who assign the nicknames to their peers. Article content Article content While once considered to be permanent, call signs and the policies that govern them have been updated in recent years amid controversy over some individual nicknames and the process by which they were assigned. Article content Article content Those concerns prompted an overhaul of standards around call signs and the process used to choose them, according to over 200 pages of records acquired by Postmedia via several access to information requests that produced records primarily from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta but also from other bases. Article content 'While the RCAF continues to value tradition and camaraderie, we recognize that certain call signs previously considered acceptable may no longer reflect the evolving culture of the organization,' reads a statement to Postmedia from Maj. Marie-Eve Bilodeau with the Canadian Armed Forces. Article content 'Our approach remains flexible, allowing the fighter force culture to evolve alongside broader societal expectations.' Article content Article content 'Pica,' 'McLovin,' and 'Play of the Day' Article content The documents list close to 100 different call signs, and while the origins of many of those are difficult to determine many are apparent attempts at humour. Article content Call signs referencing first or last names were common, including one pilot with the surname Chu who was given the call sign 'Pica' in reference to the Pokemon character. Article content Entertainment was a popular source of inspiration for call signs including 'Bollywood,' 'Jar Jar,' 'Gizmo,' 'Footloose,' and 'McLovin' in apparent reference to the 2007 film Superbad. Article content 'Call signs, much like nicknames between good friends, are intended to maintain tradition and contribute to esprit de corps,' Bilodeau stated. Article content Some call signs were acronyms, including 'POG' in reference to TSN's Play of the Game highlight segment, 'RIC' referring to an officer who rides (his motorcycle) in crocs, and 'DATA' for a pilot whose colleagues apparently believe doesn't always think ahead. Article content Animal names including 'Pug,' 'Tiger,' 'Piglet,' and 'Walrus,' were also assigned as call signs, as were foods including 'Jelly Bean' and 'Loaf.' Article content Some call signs produced amusing juxtapositions, including the potential of 'Moses' and 'Satan' flying together on the same mission. Article content 'Traditions are important' Article content Those nicknames are selected by what's known as a call sign review board (CRB), that despite the formal name, are an invite-only social gathering. Article content 'Due to the unprecedented times we have lived through over the past two years none of you have been adequately exposed to mess culture or to the morale building exercises central to the identity of an operational unit such as ours,' reads an emailed invitation to pilots from an acting commanding officer at CFB Cold Lake, adding the CRB will 'ensure your proper amalgamation into the fighter controller community.' Article content Article content 'Traditions are important,' his email ends. Article content The documents indicate meetings of CRBs can include consumption of alcohol by attendees, are sometimes preceded by a slideshow full of internet memes, and in one case, encouraged invitees to obtain an item from a rival squadron on base to be 'ransomed' back to its rightful owner at a later date. Article content Potential call signs for a given pilot are set out to the group by the leader of the CRB, referenced in the documents as 'the mayor.' Those suggestions are then debated by the 'congregation' of other pilots while the member awaiting his or her new call sign, known as 'the defendant,' waits outside. Article content Upon being invited back into the room, the pilot is informed of the group's choice and bestowed with that as their call sign. Article content While often whimsical or humorous, some call signs have been deemed to be problematic in the past. Article content Article content In 2022, two senior officers were disciplined and fined for not intervening during a call sign review board at CFB Cold Lake that assigned a junior male pilot a homophobic call sign that referenced a specific female pilot. Article content Maj.-Gen. Iain Huddleston told The Canadian Press then that the call sign was 'egregious,' and the incident led the RCAF to promise to add more controls over how call signs are assigned. Article content A 2023 lessons-learned report included in the documents presented several recommendations regarding CRBs, including that commanding officers pre-vet any prospective call signs which are also to be presented to pilots privately 'to ensure all perceived pressure to consent is removed.' Article content 'The RCAF reviewed and updated its direction surrounding call sign assignment practices to ensure alignment with Canadian Armed Forces values, including professionalism, respect, dignity, and inclusion,' Bilodeau stated.
Edmonton Journal
4 days ago
- General
- Edmonton Journal
'Gizmo', 'Satan,' and 'McLovin': Inside the changing world of pilot calls signs at CFB Cold Lake
As far back as the Second World War, Canadian pilots have used call signs to identify themselves to colleagues in the air and on the ground. Article content Such short-hand monikers are used in official and unofficial communications as well as by Canada's allies, and have appeared in pop culture through films like Top Gun. Article content Article content The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) says call signs serve as more than identification markers, and reflect both generations of aviation heritage as well as the contemporary pilots who assign the nicknames to their peers. Article content Article content While once considered to be permanent, call signs and the policies that govern them have been updated in recent years amid controversy over some individual nicknames and the process by which they were assigned. Article content Article content Those concerns prompted an overhaul of standards around call signs and the process used to choose them, according to over 200 pages of records acquired by Postmedia via several access to information requests that produced records primarily from CFB Cold Lake in Alberta but also to other bases. Article content 'While the RCAF continues to value tradition and camaraderie, we recognize that certain call signs previously considered acceptable may no longer reflect the evolving culture of the organization,' reads a statement to Postmedia from Maj. Marie-Eve Bilodeau with the Canadian Armed Forces. Article content 'Our approach remains flexible, allowing the fighter force culture to evolve alongside broader societal expectations.' Article content Article content The documents list close to 100 different call signs, and while the origins of many of those are difficult to determine many are apparent attempts at humour. Article content Call signs referencing first or last names were common, including one pilot with the surname Chu who was given the call sign 'Pica' in reference to the Pokemon character. Article content Entertainment was a popular source of inspiration for call signs including 'Bollywood,' 'Jar Jar,' 'Gizmo,' 'Footloose,' and 'McLovin' in apparent reference to the 2007 film Superbad. Article content 'Call signs, much like nicknames between good friends, are intended to maintain tradition and contribute to esprit de corps,' Bilodeau stated. Article content Some call signs were acronyms, including 'POG' in reference to TSN's Play of the Game highlight segment, 'RIC' referring to an officer who rides (his motorcycle) in crocs, and 'DATA' for a pilot whose colleagues apparently believe doesn't always think ahead.
