Page 4 - Aerotech News and Review, June 16 2017

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it has a longstanding friendly relationship and similar strategic interests, such as Pakistan, and in which there is a precedent for hosting foreign militaries,” the Pentagon report said. “This initiative, along with regular naval vessel visits to foreign ports, both reflects and amplifies China’s growing influence, extending the reach of its armed forces.”
The assessment also focused on the military buildup in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, which China claims vir- tually in its entirety.
It said that as of late last year, China was building 24 fighter- sized hangars, fixed-weapons positions, barracks, administration buildings and communication facilities on each of the three larg- est outposts — Fiery Cross, Subi and Mischief Reefs. Each has runways that are at least 2,700 meters (8,800 feet) long.
China claims the bases are there to improve navigation safety and assistance for fishermen. But it also says they help reinforce China’s sovereignty claims and that China is fully entitled to provide them with defensive capabilities.
“That we develop national defense is to safeguard China’s independent sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is a legiti- mate right of a sovereign state,” Hua said, without mentioning the islands directly.
While China objects vocally to U.S. naval operations in the South China Sea, it is eager not to be seen as a threat, and its criticism of the annual Pentagon assessment is part of a drive to avoid being perceived as attempting to seize the mantle as the region’s dominant military force. It has also engaged in a series of dialogues and exchanges with the U.S. military, although the two continue to view each other warily.
“We hope the U.S. side will put aside the Cold War mentality, view China’s military development in an objective and rational manner, and take concrete actions to maintain steady growth of the military relationship between the two countries,” Hua said. AP
Jordan soldier faces murder charges in deaths of 3 U.S. troops
A government official in Amman, Jordan, says a Jordanian soldier faces murder charges in the shooting deaths of three U.S. military trainers at a Jordanian air base
He says the soldier will be tried by a military court, starting Wednesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity be- cause he was not authorized to brief reporters.
The U.S. Army Green Berets were killed Nov. 4 at the al-Jafr air base in southern Jordan. They came under fire as their convoy entered the base.
Jordanian officials initially said the trainers sparked the shoot- ing by disobeying orders from Jordanian soldiers.
The slain Americans were 27-year-old Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, of Lawrence, Kansas; 30-year-old Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe of Tucson, Ariz.; and 27-year-old Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty of Kerrville, Texas. AP
Needing troops, Army offers up to $90,000 bonuses to re-enlist
Military officials tell The Associated Press that the Army will triple the amount of bonuses it’s paying this year to more than $380 million, including new incentives to woo reluctant soldiers to re-enlist.
The officials said some soldiers could get $90,000 up front by committing to another four or more years. That comes as the Army seeks to reverse some of the downsizing that occurred under the Obama administration after years of growth spurred by the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. In just the last two weeks, the Army has paid out more than $26 million in bonuses.
The enlistment campaign was driven by Congress’ decision late last year to beef up the Army, echoing the spirit of President Don- ald Trump’s campaign promises to significantly increase military staffing and firepower. AP
BAE Systems lays of 130 at Virginia shipyard
BAE Systems has laid off 130 workers at its Norfolk, Va., shipyard as part of an expected workforce reduction of about 300 by the end of the month.
The layoffs took place June 2 and that the cuts were first an- nounced in late April.
BAE Systems provides ship repair, maintenance, moderniza- tion, conversion, and overhaul for the Navy and other customers. The Virginian-Pilot reports the layoffs are part of a wave
sweeping the region’s shipyard and subcontractors that is pro- jected to leave more than 1,000 employees out of work in the coming weeks. AP
Navy officer who shared military secrets gets 6 years
A U.S. Navy officer has been sentenced to six years in prison for revealing military secrets and other crimes.
Media outlets report that Lt. Cmdr. Edward C. Lin was sen- tenced June 2 in a Virginia military court. With the time he has already served, his prison term will last four more years.
The 40-year-old Lin was also dismissed from the Navy.
Lin pleaded guilty last month to mishandling classified infor- mation, communicating national defense information and failing to report foreign contacts.
According to his Navy biography, Lin was born in Taiwan, became an American citizen and joined the Navy. He was on the staff of an assistant secretary of the Navy in Washington and was assigned to a unit in Hawaii that flies spy planes. AP
Trump to nominate Richard Spencer for Navy secre- tary
President Donald Trump says he’s found a new candidate for the civilian post of Navy secretary.
His name is Richard Spencer, and he’s a former financial in- dustry executive. Spencer is also a former Marine Corps captain. The White House says Spencer most recently was managing partner of Fall Creek Management, a privately held management consulting company in Wyoming. Spencer also was vice chair- man and chief financial officer for Intercontinental Exchange Inc., a financial market company, and president of Crossroads Group, a venture capital firm that was bought by Lehman Broth-
ers in 2003.
Trump’s first choice for Navy secretary, businessman Philip
Bilden, withdrew from consideration in February. Bilden cited privacy concerns and the difficulty of separating from his busi- ness interests.
The Senate must approve of Spencer’s nomination. AP
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June 16, 2017
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