The 9/24/21 dispatch.

Happy Friday to everyone!

In this post, I wanted to share three quick China-related stories, and then share a few other neat things I’ve come across.

First, China is still being China, trying to intimidate Taiwan (and probably other neighbors that we don’t know about). Nothing new here. See below.

trib.al/8auOM5S ","username":"defense_news","name":"Defense News","date":"Thu Sep 23 15:07:56 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/E_-peU...Defense News @defense_newsChina sends 19 fighter jets toward Taiwan in show of force trib.al/8auOM5S

September 23rd 2021

11 Retweets25 Likes

But despite these threats, America continues to focus its effort on countering China.

Example 1:

@AFSpecOpsCmd released several photos of its concept for an MC-130J that could take off and land on water in future conflicts where airstrip access is lost #China #avgeek defenseone.com/technology/202… via @DefenseOne ","username":"TaraCopp","name":"Tara Copp","date":"Mon Sep 20 17:48:41 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/E_vxR3...Tara Copp @TaraCopp@AFSpecOpsCmd released several photos of its concept for an MC-130J that could take off and land on water in future conflicts where airstrip access is lost #China #avgeek defenseone.com/technology/202… via @DefenseOne

September 20th 2021

20 Retweets63 Likes

Example 2:

trib.al/uY8XH7W ","username":"defense_news","name":"Defense News","date":"Mon Sep 20 19:24:48 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/E_wHfw...Defense News @defense_newsKaman unveils medium-lift UAV to resupply distributed Marine Corps forces trib.al/uY8XH7W

September 20th 2021

19 Retweets75 Likes

The drone resupply story is especially cool. These things would be able to fly up to 500 nautical miles and carry up to 1,000 pounds of cargo.

Moving along, President Joe Biden made a bit of a boo-boo this week. Speaking at the United Nations, he said that this is 'the first time in 20 years' that the U.S. is not at war.

Many, many observers were quite surprised by this remark.

As stated below…

Missy Ryan @missy_ryanEven as Biden told the UN this week that the US is no longer at war, +3K troops remain arrayed across Iraq & Syria; small SOF forces operate in Somalia & Yemen; and military prepares for an ongoing air campaign in Afghanistan. As Biden touts an end to America’s ‘forever’ wars, conflicts drag on out of sightThe U.S. military remains locked in low-level insurgent conflicts in Africa and the Middle East.washingtonpost.com

September 22nd 2021

70 Retweets114 Likes

In other matters, the U.S. is clearly STILL at a loss for what’s happening to our diplomats and State Department workers (and clandestine officers, in some cases.) But they’re getting more serious about trying to figure that out, as evidenced below.

The Washington Post @washingtonpostCIA station chief in Vienna recalled amid criticisms of management and handling of “Havana Syndrome” cases CIA station chief in Vienna recalled amid criticism of management and handling of mysterious ‘Havana Syndrome’ casesThe Austrian capital has become a hotbed of mysterious illnesses plaguing American personnel and their families.wapo.st

September 24th 2021

39 Retweets83 Likes

Moving along, I found this CNN story VERY fascinating. If you want to see some very eye-opening footage of both a base and prison in Afghanistan, give this a few mins of your time.

@NicRobertsonCNN goes inside an abandoned US air base now under Taliban control and the notorious prison that once held thousands of detainees. cnn.it/3u1NbsG ","username":"CNN","name":"CNN","date":"Wed Sep 22 09:20:00 +0000 2021","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...CNN @CNN.@NicRobertsonCNN goes inside an abandoned US air base now under Taliban control and the notorious prison that once held thousands of detainees. cnn.it/3u1NbsG

September 22nd 2021

123 Retweets365 Likes

Finally, I really enjoyed this profile and review of Secretary Austin, the new Secretary of Defense. I know he’s been saddled with implementing some defense moves that he didn’t agree with (big hint: Afghanistan), but he truly has been a steady hand.

And the former Army General just brings such a calming manner to everything that he does. A gentle giant, if you will.

David Ignatius @IgnatiusPostA no-drama defense secretary in a soap opera country Opinion | A no-drama defense secretary in a soap opera countryRunning the Pentagon is the toughest management job in the government, and Lloyd Austin has had a head-spinning first year.washingtonpost.com

September 24th 2021

8 Retweets22 Likes

Finally, before we wrap things up, here is my cool story for the week, check this out!

Military.com @MilitarydotcomA Colonial Sailing Ship Was Uncovered in the Foundation of the World Trade Center A Colonial Sailing Ship Was Uncovered in the Foundation of the World Trade CenterThe US doesn’t go around burying its warships. That’s what merchantmen are for.military.com

September 23rd 2021

6 Retweets16 Likes

One final bit of personal news.

I'm going to mail out some free copies of Hill 406. If you’d like a copy (or know a vet/friend/family member who would), please email me. You can reach me at stan@stanrmitchell.com.

I'll send out up to ten copies. (U.S. residents only.)

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That’s it for this post. Stay safe and be kind. As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it.

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Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

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