The Stan R. Mitchell report for 3/22/22.
Happy Tuesday, everyone! Hope everyone’s week is off to a great start!
Russia’s military continues to stumble in its advances, while dropping massive loads of ordinance on several city centers. (See latest map below.)
ow.ly/Miey50InZn0\n\n🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 ","username":"DefenceHQ","name":"Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧","date":"Mon Mar 21 11:37:50 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FOXt94...
Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 @DefenceHQThe illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing.The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 21 March 2022.Find out more about the UK government's response: ow.ly/Miey50InZn0🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 
March 21st 2022
516 Retweets1,067 LikesThe current primary objective remains Kyiv, according to the intelligence folks.
For a succinct elaboration on the situation in Kyiv, and how Russian forces are split and now digging in, take a listen to this. (Also has an incredible map.) Plus, Clint Watts describes an attempt by Russians in the east to cut off Ukrainian forces, as well as their attempts in the southern part of the country.
@selectedwisdom \n@jdbalart \n@MSNBC ","username":"JDBalartMSNBC","name":"José Díaz-Balart Reports","date":"Mon Mar 21 16:12:03 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://cdn.substack.com/image/upload...
José Díaz-Balart Reports @JDBalartMSNBCClint Watts analyzes Russia's attacks on Ukraine.@selectedwisdom @jdbalart @MSNBC March 21st 2022
8 Retweets15 LikesContinue to think (and pray) for Ukraine as they fight this monstrous invasion. There are reports that there are some counter-attacks happening by Ukraine, so I hope they can push these invaders all the way back to their original borders.
In horrible news for the U.S. this week, America lost four of its finest to training accident in Norway. An Osprey crash claimed the lives of four Marines.
From a previous newsletter, I had researched Osprey crashes. When I was recounting a story of the closest I ever came to dying when I served, I mentioned in passing how scared we used to be of flying in Ospreys, the helicopters/planes that were brand-new back then.
But after mentioning that, I researched just how dangerous the tilt-rotor planes actually are compared to regular helicopters. It turns out, if you read the article below, that they’re much safer than I originally believed.
This latest accident will hurt the numbers, but apparently, terrible weather played a role in this most recent crash. (The cause of the crash is under investigation, but Norwegian police reported bad weather in the area.)
In tech news, there were a few things I wanted to highlight.
Defense News @defense_newsThe Navy and Marine Corps demonstrated a naval manned/unmanned teaming capability, showing how their tactics and gear could come together in the future to fight in the littoral environment. 
Navy, Marine Corps rehearse manned-unmanned helicopter strikesThe Navy and Marine Corps demonstrated a naval manned/unmanned teaming capability, showing how their tactics and gear could come together in the future to fight in the littoral environment.defensenews.comMarch 19th 2022
7 Retweets23 LikesIn the article above, you can read how the Marine Corps is integrating UAVs with its air units. Previously, smaller UAVs have been used to help improve the fighting capabilities of ground forces.
The most recent exercise represented “a tighter integration between manned and unmanned aviation assets than the service typically sees,” the article stated.
The Air Force seems even further along on this idea.
Defense News @defense_news"We are poised to go ahead and take a significant step forward" in teaming autonomous drones up with piloted fighters and bombers, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said March 9. 
Air Force aims to sharpen vision for teaming pilots with drones“We are poised to go ahead and take a significant step forward” in teaming autonomous drones up with piloted fighters and bombers, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said March 9.defensenews.comMarch 19th 2022
8 Retweets36 LikesThe article states that in the near-future “up to five unmanned, autonomous and attritable aircraft controlled by a single piloted that is ‘calling plays’” is a part of the department’s plans.
Finally, you might have heard some noise about Russia using a hyper-sonic weapon in actual combat. I tend to believe the below: it’s not that big a deal.
Alex Ward @alexbwardExperts say Russia’s hypersonic missile test, even if it hit the western Ukrainian target, is basically an Iskander-M 9M723 quasi-ballistic missile, but in this instance shot from a plane. That’s noteworthy, sure, but let’s not freak out about it. 
The problem with ‘hypersonic’ and Russia’s attack claimpolitico.comMarch 22nd 2022
81 Retweets254 LikesMoving on to something else, I’ve been meaning to share this from a month or so ago, but too much has been happening.
But I don't think you fully realize the power of the U.S. Navy until you go out to sea with them for six months.
And the two posts below (as well as the video) give you just a glimpse of the sheer weight our Navy can throw at an enemy.
U.S. Navy @USNavy“Our sea-denial exercises with naval expeditionary integration and littoral allies prepares us to counter potential adversarial aggressive actions.” February 9th 2022
92 Retweets355 Likes#NavyPartnerships look like! 🇺🇸 ⚓ 🇯🇵 \n\nShips from the America and Essex ARGs & Abraham Lincoln CSG sail in the #PhilippineSea with ships from the @jmsdf_pao_eng during exercise #NobleFusion2022, Feb. 7. ","username":"USNavy","name":"U.S. Navy","date":"Wed Feb 09 20:12:50 +0000 2022","photos":[{"img_url":"https://pbs.substack.com/media/FLLkOP...U.S. Navy @USNavyThis is what #NavyPartnerships look like! 🇺🇸 ⚓ 🇯🇵 Ships from the America and Essex ARGs & Abraham Lincoln CSG sail in the #PhilippineSea with ships from the @jmsdf_pao_eng during exercise #NobleFusion2022, Feb. 7. 
February 9th 2022
229 Retweets1,109 LikesCan you imagine trying to sink or stop that much firepower?!
That is not something most countries can pull off. And our Navy has spent 200-plus years mastering resupplying at sea, while also striking targets or defending zones in the ocean. Just an awesome power that takes so many people working together to pull off.
Now, to the best part of each newsletter. Let’s end with some motivation and wisdom.
#quote","username":"Life__Quotes","name":"Daily Life Quotes","date":"Mon Mar 21 16:42:39 +0000 2022","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":77,"like_count":360,"expanded_url":{},"video_url":null}">
Daily Life Quotes @Life__Quotes"Change your thoughts and you change your world." Norman Vincent Peale #quoteMarch 21st 2022
77 Retweets360 Likes
Life Quotes @RTLifeQuotesSuccess is not to be pursued, it is to be attracted by the person you become. – Jim RohnMarch 19th 2022
48 Retweets164 LikesDaily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesThe true measure of a man isn't how he behaves in moments of comfort &convenience but how he stands at times of controversy &challenges. MLKMarch 18th 2022
13 Retweets83 Likes
Daily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesIt is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness. Lucius Annaeus SenecaMarch 20th 2022
13 Retweets44 LikesDaily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesPersistent people begin their success where others end in failure. Edward EgglestonMarch 20th 2022
7 Retweets21 LikesDaily Life Quotes @Life__QuotesWhen you have control over your thoughts, you have control over your life. ✈March 20th 2022
819 Retweets4,106 LikesThat’s it for this edition. As a reminder, please be kind and endeavor to love your fellow Americans. We need to pull this country together, and that starts with all of us.
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Semper Fidelis,
Stan R. Mitchell
P.S. Don’t forget to check out my books. I’ve written a CIA/Marine sniper series, a detective series, a private investigator series, an action-packed Western, a leadership/biography book, and two realistic war novels: one about World War II and one about Afghanistan.
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