The Stan R. Mitchell report for 2/1/22.

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Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope your week is off to a great start!

I’m going to again skip over ruminating on the Ukraine/Russia situation this week. Things haven’t changed. Putin will either invade or he won’t. No huge news has broken on the matter as of publication time.

Moving along, I thought I’d start with the tweet below from the Air Force.

@PACAF ","username":"usairforce","name":"U.S. Air Force","date":"Sun Jan 30 20:00:10 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FKYBbr...U.S. Air Force @usairforceOver 500 Japan Ground Self Defense Force paratroopers performed a static-line jump from 13 Yokota Air Base C-130’s, showcasing the strategic importance of engaging in bilateral operations during Airborne 22 in Japan.📸 by SrA Brieana E. Bolfing@PACAF

January 30th 2022

157 Retweets643 Likes

The innocuous photos were probably posted as simply a majestic set of photos, illustrating the alliance and interoperability of American and Japanese forces. Possibly also a subtle reminder to China: we can drop 500 Japanese on any uninhabited islands at a moment’s notice. (Say, for instance, the Senkaku Islands. Here’s more about the tension there.)

Clearly, the very real point of that training operation is that if a conflict kicked off, these Japanese troops could either reinforce American forces rushed into the region or hold ground until additional American forces arrive in theater.

And it was this idea that got my mind racing. China is obviously the big giant in the area, but many of the smaller countries that feel threatened by China lack the naval and air assets to deploy their troops to aid their allies if a conflict occurred say a thousand miles away.

But what if the United States provides the transportation?

What if America were to transport a battalion of Vietnamese troops to some hot spot outside their comfortable reach? And bring along some South Korean forces, as well. And then some troops from Thailand and the Philippines, to top it all off?

As history has proven: removing dug-in infantry is never an easy task. Like, ever.

And what REALLY got my mind racing is depending on how you play out these scenarios, the United States wouldn’t even have to be at war with China to do some of these things I’ve state above. America could simply be an ally moving troops around. And that would put the weight on China’s shoulders as to whether it would respond aggressively to this shifting of forces, enabled by the United States?

Lots to really think on when you begin to consider all the possibilities. And of course, the U.S. CAN quickly deploy loads of air power to the area. Such as when we deployed dozens of F-22 fighter jets to the Pacific.

Love to hear some of your all’s thoughts on this in the comments section or on Twitter.

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Moving on to some tech news, Defense News reported recently that the U.S. Navy might pump the brakes a tad on unmanned ships.

Defense News @defense_newsThe U.S. Navy is unlikely to pursue a formal program for unmanned surface vessels in the next five years, instead focusing on the enabling technologies first, several leaders say. US Navy adopts new strategy prioritizing ‘the building blocks’ of unmanned techThe U.S. Navy is unlikely to pursue a formal program for unmanned surface vessels in the next five years, instead focusing on the enabling technologies first, several leaders say.defensenews.com

January 30th 2022

6 Retweets24 Likes

While the Navy might be slowing down the transition, the theory behind the vessels is a sound one. Namely, that large unmanned craft could not only reduce costs and the need for sailors, but also extend the reach of naval forces. After all, why send a manned destroyer near an enenemy’s coast (or fleet) when you can send an armed drone ship?

Already, the U.S. Navy has accomplished a lot already with unmanned ships. They’ve completed long “autonomous transits” of nearly 5,000 miles. Yes, 5,000 miles!

And the U.S. Navy made history by having an unmanned ship cross the Panama Canal – the first time any unmanned ship had crossed the locks of the canal.

All very interesting stuff. And if you really want to geek out and get into the weeds, you can read much more about the Navy’s strategy here: US Navy adopts new strategy prioritizing ‘the building blocks’ of unmanned tech.

Sticking with the U.S. Navy a moment longer, the Navy still hasn’t recovered the crashed F-35 that I mentioned in the last edition. (Who knows how deep of waters that thing is sitting in…)

But, the Japan Coast Guard is apparently going to be helping with the recovery.

Also, CNN provided a few more details and this amazing picture since the last edition. Though I’m confident the military wasn’t too happy about it, since the image was posted on social media and almost certainly taken by a sailor. (What is Op Sec again?)

CNN @CNNImages have emerged of a US Navy F-35C stealth fighter crashing into the South China Sea earlier this week. Images emerge of one of the US Navy’s newest stealth fighters crashing into the seaImages have emerged of a US Navy F-35C stealth fighter crashing into the South China Sea earlier this week.cnn.it

January 29th 2022

44 Retweets141 Likes

My final topic today isn’t a pleasant one. As many of you know, I posted a passionate video during Christmas begging folks to reach out to struggling veterans.

Stan R. Mitchell, author @StanRMitchellA small ask, and please share.

December 24th 2021

37 Retweets84 Likes

And I know I harp on this a lot, but PLEASE actually reach out to veterans. This is no joke and it IS a crisis.

The video series below illustrates why the need remains as important as ever, as we lose more and more of some of the greatest young men and women in our country.

@ScottPelley in 2015 about the suicides that have occurred within our unit since the 2009 deployment to Afghanistan. \"Why couldn't we reach them?\" he says. #SuicidePrevention #USMC ","username":"JimLaPorta","name":"James LaPorta","date":"Fri Sep 18 17:41:25 +0000 2020","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...James LaPorta @JimLaPortaMy commander, Col. Christian Cabaniss of 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines, who is now retired, talks with @ScottPelley in 2015 about the suicides that have occurred within our unit since the 2009 deployment to Afghanistan. "Why couldn't we reach them?" he says. #SuicidePrevention #USMC

September 18th 2020

37 Retweets165 Likes#COVID19 isolated him this year. The father of 3 took his own life back in May—He's not counted among the more than 197,000 Americans who have died from the virus. #RIP ","username":"JimLaPorta","name":"James LaPorta","date":"Fri Sep 18 17:54:12 +0000 2020","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...James LaPorta @JimLaPortaIn the same interview, Rory Hamill, talks about how staying in touch helps to get through the struggles of war. #COVID19 isolated him this year. The father of 3 took his own life back in May—He's not counted among the more than 197,000 Americans who have died from the virus. #RIP

September 18th 2020

6 Retweets57 LikesJames LaPorta @JimLaPortaService members, veterans, friends and family who need help can call the Military Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, then press 1, or access online chat by texting 838255. The Military Crisis Line connects those in need to a trained counselor with a single phone call or click

September 18th 2020

29 Retweets63 Likes@ArlingtonNatl in June. His children left with not enough memories of their father, challenge coins from martial time and a folded American flag. ","username":"JimLaPorta","name":"James LaPorta","date":"Fri Sep 18 18:22:33 +0000 2020","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/EiN4uk...James LaPorta @JimLaPortaHamill was buried in Section 60 at @ArlingtonNatl in June. His children left with not enough memories of their father, challenge coins from martial time and a folded American flag.

September 18th 2020

2 Retweets27 Likes

You all get the point: reach out to your fellow service members (or friends/family members).

Okay, I know that was a dark topic above, so let’s end with something lighter. Some motivation and wisdom to wrap up your day.

a.image2.image-link.image2-383-556 { display: inline; padding-bottom: 68.75%; padding-bottom: min(68.75%, 382.25px); width: 100%; height: 0; } a.image2.image-link.image2-383-556 img { max-width: 556px; max-height: 382.25px; } #Motivation","username":"IMQuotes_Videos","name":"Inspired Motivation Quotes","date":"Mon Jan 31 14:00:24 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":127,"like_count":293,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">Inspired Motivation Quotes @IMQuotes_VideosRemind yourself every day, you are capable of more than you are living right now.#Motivation

January 31st 2022

127 Retweets293 LikesCSM Nicholas M. Curry @realPatriot_7You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing…

January 30th 2022

1 Retweet28 Likes

That’s it for this edition. And as a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love and support your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.

As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it! And I welcome any and all respectful comments below.

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Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written 10 military and police thrillers, as well as a self-help, motivational book about Obama, which completely avoids politics or liberal vs conservative positions. To date, I’ve been fortunate to have sold 70,000-plus copies, to thank you to who have supported me on this journey! You can find all eleven books here: amazon.com.

P.P.S. You can also find out more about me, with lots of FAQs about my military background, at my website: stanrmitchell.com.