Petulant Pettiness: USS John McCain Ordered To Protect Fragile Ego

In an incident that is beneath the office of the presidency, Donald Trump has stooped to his lowest level of vile pettiness by having the White House order the crew of the USS John McCain to have the destroyer currently under repairs to be hidden from sight for his visit to Japan. The ship's name was covered by a blue tarp and sailors wearing caps bearing the ships name were given leave. This is the third incident in less than a month (The Mike Pence strip club cheer order, USS WASP patches, and now this) that this now exposed (by Robert Mueller as being elected with the help of the Russian GRU) illegitimate regime has brought shame to the men and women who proudly serve in the United States Navy. No president in our entire history has acted in such a vile and vindictive way towards a late Senator who criticized his policies. This is the act of a Third World Two-bit dictator despot, not an American President. We deserve better. We sure hope those guys on the USS WASP who were caught out of uniform wearing unauthorized patches bearing his likeness were paying attention. This isn't about politics, this is about NAVY Pride. No Navy veteran or current active duty sailor should stand for this insult and neither shall we. #GoNavy!

New Book Release: CONTACT AT FIERY CROSS

In a direct challenge to the People’s Republic of China, the United States Navy has been sent to the South China Sea. They, along with their Japanese allies are there to conduct Freedom of Navigation operations in International Waters near the disputed Spratly Islands chain. But as escalating tensions mount, something extraordinary has taken place. Lurking high up in the clouds at 20,000 feet above sea level, an elusive object of unknown origin or intent has intruded upon contested airspace leaving little room for error. As the geopolitical balance of power inches closer toward armed conflict, it will be up to U.S. Naval Aviator, Lieutenant Commander Eileen Hunter, to push man and machine to avert a war and discover a forbidden truth.

In continuation of the intrigue in ROBOT PLANET, American Mishima author Louis Edward Rosas presents a new high-flying adventure that delves into the current geopolitical tensions taking place in the Far East. Contact at Fiery Cross will not only further question if we are alone in the universe, but if so, to what extent have they influenced our affairs.

This book is now available on Paperback and eBook editions. To order your copy, please click on the following link for: CONTACT AT FIERY CROSS. Thank you!

A Solemn Remembrance

Today marks the 77th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. An attack on American Army and Naval bases by the Air and Naval forces of the Empire of Japan that formally brought the United States into World War II. While there's much that can be said about the events that led to the attack and the overall failures and consequences that followed, we chose to share the above rarely seen photo that captures the intensity of the attack that gives you a sense of what American Sailors and Marines who were there might have witnessed. A moment that 77 years later where Japan and the United States are now close allies, now seems like a bad dream. While in Japan, it is regarded as a tactical failure, for Americans, it is still known as FDR once coined "A Day that will live in Infamy." As the last survivors prepare to leave us, know that we shall never forget their sacrifices and bravery called upon such by such times. It is for this and many more reasons we shall always refer to them as The Greatest Generation. To them, we say Godspeed, Fair Winds, and Following Seas.

Missile Reassurance: New Joint Japan-US Missile Test Success

Earlier this week, Vladimir Putin was celebrating the demise of the United States as a Superpower at the hands of Donald Trump. While it is true that America's clout has been damaged by our soon to be impeached Reality TV show president, our military might and alliance with Japan has not diminished by any means. It should be noted that while the party in Moscow was winding down for the night, the U.S. Navy fired a SM-3 Block IIA missile from the USS John Finn and successfully intercepted and destroyed a medium range missile. Such interceptor capabilities will be crucial in the event of a hostile North Korean launch. This missile has been jointly developed by the United States and Japan and is part of the AEGIS Missile Defense System produced by Raytheon. The SM-3 Block IIA missile will soon become a fixture in the Pacific, so put those Russian champagne glasses away, America is still in business!

Playing High Stakes Chicken on the South China Seas

It wasn't so long ago that the People's Republic of China made an outrageous claim of sovereignty over the entire South China Seas based on some 500-year old map. A declaration of which the United Nations ruled against.  Since that time, the PRC has been militarizing small reefs with airfields, missile batteries, and radar installations. Neither the United States or the United Nations Recognizes the PRC's claims, but that hasn't stopped the Chinese Navy from making aggressive moves in International Waters to defend what it claims as its sovereign territory. If China's claim were valid, the United States would not have been able to conduct flight operations from Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War.  Not only that, but it would open a legal claim for Japan to claim Manchuria based on an 80-year-old map making an even greater International crisis China could have avoided. 

As you can see from these two U.S. Navy photographs, the USS Decatur came within 41 meters from the Chinese destroyer Lanzhou near the Spratly Islands. The Chinese warship came from behind and tried to cross the bow of the Decatur forcing the American Captain to throw the ship in reverse to avoid a collision. This was highly unprofessional on the part of the Chinese not to mention downright dangerous for the crews of both vessels. But this is what they are doing. They are engaging in a deadly game of high stakes chicken in International Waters where whoever flinches first may get killed. We at American Mishima hope it doesn't come to that. We believe this emboldened aggression is in part to test our current lack of leadership in Washington D.C. If this is what Beijing is counting on, they haven't truly tested the resolve of the United States Navy. Freedom of Navigation shall not be curtailed or infringed by an upstart world power ignoring International Law. Unfortunately, we do not see Beijing backing down, and at some point like the Cold War of times past, people will die, and history will look back at this time to ask why.

The End of an American Hero

When I think of #JohnMcCain's passing, I recall his bravery in the USS Forestal incident during the Vietnam War and horrors he endured as an American POW in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. I can not say I have always agreed with his politics or how he split from his first wife but at this time of his passing, I am left with a sense of emptiness and sorrow for an American Hero who has left us behind. I will always respect his service to our country. If I could offer one thing to surmise his sense of duty, loyalty, and service to this country, it is this final clip from The Bridges of Toko Ri.

Godspeed John McCain. 

Godspeed, Fair Winds, and Following Seas.
#RIPJohnMccain #JohnMcCain

While the World is Distracted, China Deploys Missiles on Disputed Islands

As much as American Media focuses much of its attention on one man's chaos, the Chinese military quietly deployed air-to-air and anti-shipping missiles on disputed islands in the South China Seas. According to French sources monitoring the situation, this provocation on the part of the PLA/Navy will only result in escalated tensions in the region. CNBC further confirms these deployments have taken place on the Fiery Cross Reef, Subi Reef, and Mischief Reef. These islands are part of the Spratly archipelago and part of Bejings absurd historical claim to soveriegnty over the entire South china Seas which the United Nations ruled out. Not withstanding the UN's rebuke, they know with full confidence that America is too distracted by our Reality T.V. Host playing President to do anything about it. His endless scandals have served as a distration for him to be concerend with what is happening in the South china Seas and Beijing is taking full advantage of it. This of course, will provoke a response on the part of the U.S. Navy. The situation is a prelude to disaster given our current lack of leadership. Our foolish leader's thinks he can beat a skillful chess player with a lousy game checkers on the high seas provided he himself is not too distracted with his own made up conspiracy theories he peddles to his deplorable voter base and further antagonizing American people who don't support him on Twitter. It's not television. It is a dangerous world. Unless the PRC de-escalates the situation which we know they won't, or Trump is forcibly removed from power, or grows a pair and starts acting like a leader, the region will further inch closer to an armed conflict. Let's hope cooler heads prevail and no one gets hurt.

USS Lexington Wreck Found!

By now everyone has heard of Microsoft Co-Founder Paul Allen's discovery of the USS Lexington. Lady Lex as she was known was sunk by the Imperial Japanese Navy in May 1942 during the Battle of the Coral Sea. She went down with 216 of her crew and 35 aircraft. This battle had the distinction of being the first carrier battle. Paul Allen's team took some amazing photos from the wreck which is some two miles deep.

 

Seen hereis the name plate.

Anti-Aircraft Gun.

Wrecked planes with the Pre-War Star before the red dot was painted solide to avoid confusion with the Japanese Rising Sun.

Here's a plane where you can see the Feleix the Cat holding a bomb emblem of the squadron this plane belonged to. Also note, the visible four Japanese kill flags. 

 

Another large gun sitting silently on the ocean floor. 

There's only a limited amount of photos available so please check out this video to get better views.

                            

Rest in Peace Lady Lex.

Fair Winds and Following Seas.

North Korean Missiles Over Hokkaido

Welcome to a scary new world where Kim Jong-Un has acquired the capability to fire a ballistic missiles over Japan. In light of the absence of American Leadership though the abdication of commitment on the part of the Trump Regime, Japan has come face to face with the realities of an aggressive neighbor bent on waging war. While Japan's populace abhors the idea of abandoning the pacifist constitution imposed by the Americans at the end of WWII, this weeks events that saw three North Korean missiles fly over Hakodate should serve as a wake up call that Japan must scrap Article 9 and mobilize its forces to meet this crisis. While the United States Navy has pledged to honor its long term commitments to the defense of Japan, neither the Self Defense Forces or the United States do anything to stop these missiles from violating Japanese airspace. Had those missile been armed and malfunction or worse deliberately targeting Sapporo, Japan would have no choice but to defend herself which would almost certainly guarantee retaliation that would plunge the region into war.

We have stated many times we do not want war. At the same time we feel that to prevent a war one must have a strong defense. Article 9 limits Japan's capability to do that. This must change regardless of what protests Beijing sends Tokyo's way. The Belligerents of North Korea don't care about how Japan feels about the past. They want to prove they can hurt their one time colonial masters and thanks to their recent acquisition of technology allegedly from the Ukraine, Japan must act. This is about protecting Japan and right now Japan is threatened. I hope that PM Abe will push for stronger measures to protect Japan. But scraps of paper are not enough. It's up to the Japanese people. We hope they have heard this wake up call and will move towards a stronger defense to protect those they love.

Tragedy at Sea: Seven American Sailors Killed in Collission Aboard USS Fitzgerald

As many of you may well know by now, the American Arleigh Burke Class Guided Missile Destroyer U.S.S. Fitzgerald (DDG-62) was involved in a major collision with the Philippine flagged container vessel ACX Crystal that resulted in the deaths of seven American sailors. The incident was reported to have taken place at 0230hrs in busy shipping lanes 60 miles from the Izu Peninsula. While no crew members of the larger ACX Crystal were reported injured, the damage to the smaller destroyer trapped sailors in their berthing compartments as they slept injuring scores of crew members including the ships captain Cmdr. Bryce Benson who was later airlifted by Japanese Maritime SDF helicopters back to Yokosuka. 

During the first 24 hours, the seven dead sailors were initially listed as missing which prompted a massive air sea search & rescue operation on the part of the JMSDF and Japanese Coast Guard. Sadly, the seven missing sailors were later discovered in the flooded berthing compartments. 

Dramatic photos reveal the severe damage to the hull, what's not seen is the damage below the water line. As one can see from the above photo of the ACX Crystal, it has what is called a "Bulbous Bow" below the waterline. The impact of which cannot be seen above the waterline is what caused the most damage to the destroyer. It is there where much of the flooding occurred. 

The following names listed below are of the seven American Sailors who lost their lives. We at American Mishima respectfully a raise them a slow hand salute in tribute to these seven souls who will join those countless American Sailors still on patrol. 

Gunner's Mate Seaman Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, from Palmyra, Virginia

Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, from San Diego, California

Sonar Technician 3rd Class Ngoc T Truong Huynh, 25, from Oakville, Connecticut

Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Noe Hernandez, 26, from Weslaco, Texas

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Carlos Victor Ganzon Sibayan, 23, from Chula Vista, California

Personnel Specialist 1st Class Xavier Alec Martin, 24, from Halethorpe, Maryland

Fire Controlman 1st Class Gary Leo Rehm Jr., 37, from Elyria, Ohio

Collission Course! U.S.S. Lake Champlain collides with Korean Fishing Boat

Somewhere east of the Korean Peninsula, the American Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruiser U.S.S. Lake Champlain collided with a 65 foot Korean fishing vessel 502 Nam Yang. This occurred at 11:50 am local time on May 9th. While there were no injuries reported, the extent of the damage to the port side of the ship the cruiser has not been released to the public. Both the U.S. Navy and the South Korean Coast Guard are investigating. It is reported that poor visibility, a lack of a working radio and GPS system on board the Korean boat, and failure to heed warnings played a part in the incident. Both ships were able to get under way and safely head to port. U.S.S. Lake Champlain is currently operating as part of the U.S.S. Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group.

Pyongyang Posturing

This week has seen the U.S. Third Fleet change its plans. In the recent wake of increased tensions with the DPRK, the Navy canceled the scheduled port of calls in Australia and re-directed the U.S.S. Carl Vinson (CV-70) and it's carrier group to take up station within the sphere of the Korean Peninsula.  Under normal circumstances this would seem like routine posturing to let the rogue nation and it's "Dear Leader" that the United States stands ready to defend it's South Korean & Japanese allies. What is troubling is not so much the threats coming out of Pyongyang but rather from our own new regime of amateurs whose sole foreign consistency has been its own unpredictability. Particularly when Trump claims to know more than his generals and takes his foreign policy advice from his handbag designer daughter and inexperienced son in law. This makes for a dangerous mix especially when you count the PRC's recent deployment of 150,000 ground troops along North Korea's northern border. We at American Mishima are counting on Secretary of Defense "Mad Dog" Mattis and our Naval Commanders in the Third Fleet to use caution and not indulge the impulsive whims of our unpredictable part time leader who spends more time golfing at his Florida resorts and Tweeting threats than actually governing. This should make for interesting conversation in Beijing and nervousness in Seoul & Tokyo. As we have said many times, may cooler heads prevail.

Whoops! Cruiser USS Antietam Runs Aground in Tokyo Bay

The Unites States Navy has reported that the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) has run aground in Tokyo Bay. It is further reported that the ship has dumped what has been described as a significant amount of oil in what Navy officials have called "an engineering mishap." U.S. Pacific Fleet reports that there were no injuries to American or Japanese personnel and that the Navy is cooperating with the Japanese Coast Guard and the Government of Japan. It remains unclear just how much oil has been split into Tokyo Bay or what the full extent of the damage to the ship's hull. What additional information released to the public is that the ship's propellers were also damaged in the incident during anchoring. Navy Divers have been sent down to assess the situation. Following the incident, the Antietam was safely returned to Yokosuka with the help of tugs attached to the installation. U.S. Navy Spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Matt Knight is quoted as saying: "The Navy is still working to determine the exact location that the spill took place and will take measures to minimize impacts to the environment as appropriate. The Navy is cooperating with the Government of Japan and Japanese Coast Guard in response to this issue."

Enter The Hawkeyes

While the world was watching the bizarre rants of our new President-Elect, the U.S. Navy deployed E-2D Advanced Hawkeye early warning aircraft to Japan. The purpose of being to track stealth aircraft over the South China Seas. These planes who had been previously attached to the USS Theodore Roosevelt fighting ISIL in Syria will now bolster security in what has become an ever growing tense situation with the militarization of man-made islands which the PRC claims as their sovereign territory based on some 500 year old map. It is reported that these E-2D's are equipped with the latest A/N-APY radar system that can track objects with a small cross section which is the hallmark of stealth technology. There's a report which CNN reposted from the US Naval Institute News that these planes could be the secret weapon against both cruise missiles such as the so-called "Carrier-Killer" and both variants of the PRC's Stealth Fighters in production.

With the PRC bringing it's new 5th Generation J-20 Stealth fighters coming on line over the next two years, the advanced eyes in the skies will do their part to keep the peace. Of course there are no guarantees. In the old days this was called the Balance of Terror to match assets with ones potential adversaries like chess pieces on the board. This being no game, the aggressive moves on the part of the PRC and the unstable rantings of our new leader will make for a combustible mix that will fall on the hands of our military leaders to have the cooler heads and no Twitter Fingers. Let's just hope the addition of the E-2d's Hawkeyes will give the region an added ounce of stability for an unstable world.

Changing of the Guard: USS Wasp Heads to Japan

As times move on, so do ship deployments. As such, the recently modernized amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) heads for it's new home port in Sasebo, Japan. The Wasp will be replacing the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) so it may return to San Diego and undergo much needed upgrades. The USS Wasp's upgraded it's defense systems to include the MK 2 Ship Self Defense System, SPQ-9B horizon search radar, MK 57 NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System, and a host of computer LAN systems to meet the ever growing challenges to their mission as part of the Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Japan.

Of the Wasp's most prominent upgrade, none draws more attention that it's new accommodation of new USMC F-35B Variant Joint Strike Fighters of VMFA-211 "The Green Knights" Fighter Attack Squadron. This is the first deployment of the new controversial Short Take-off Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft that is best known for it's 5th Generation Stealth technology. This upgrade in combination with the Wasp's on board compliment of attack helicopters and V-22 Osprey's should give anyone thinking of challenging this ship some pause. We at American Mishima wish the crew and pilots of the USS Wasp fair seas and safe travels.  

History Restored: Japanese Naval Flag Donated to Pearl Harbor

There have been many cases since the end of the Second World War where the children of Veterans discover old war treasures and choose to return such items to history. For the Hartman family of Robert Hartman who served in the US Navy during WWII, such a treasure had been kept in their possession. It had been taken by Robert Hartman when the US took possession of the Nagato. What they had was the Admiral's flag of the IJN Battleship Nagato which served as Admiral Isoroku's Flagship during the attack on Pearl Harbor. It was said the flag was used by the family as a blanket years ago but after Mr. Hartman passed away, his daughter Dianne Hall having realized the historical significance of this flag choose to donate the flag to the US Park Service (which oversees the care of the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center) so that it will honor the veterans who fought on that day. The Park Service says it will seek to preserve the flag for future generations. No word on when it will be on display but know that it is in safe keeping.

Playing With Fire? Beijing Talks Tokyo

In what seems to be the latest round in the never ending South China Seas disputes, Chinese Military Spokesman Yang Yujin made some pretty bold threats to Tokyo this week. Apparently, the PRC objects to the recently announced plans on the part of the Japanese Defense Ministry to conduct Joint Patrols with the U.S. Navy in the disputed South China Seas. Yujin alleged that Tokyo was "Playing with fire" and that his military was not going to sit by and watch idly. To what purpose do such threats serve? The International Community has already ruled against the PRC in The Hague. Not only does China's artificial island building in international waters which they now claim based on some 500 year old map has little legitimacy, it's bad for business. Let's face it, the economic boom and rising wealth among Chinese under 30 would have never occurred under the Communist Rule of Chairman Mao Tse-tung. This is only because China has embraced limited Capitalism which has made many Chinese very wealthy. To date, China now has more millionaires and billionaires than any other country combined meaning they rely on business and business happens when you use trade. That's why none of this makes any sense. Militarizing International Waters threatens commerce and trade for the entire region upsetting the delicate balance of trade between nations. It's clear that someone in Beijing feels that to take it all for themselves at the expense of others offers China some short term economic advantage but ultimately this just sets China up for more problems than they solve. It's unfortunate that their leaders have embarked on this path. I suppose the grand irony is that while the Communists love to bash Japan for it's past  military aggression of 80 years ago, it engages on some of its own. We have long said we hope such saber rattling will cease with cooler heads prevailing but the ante has been raised and some people as we have read want a confrontation that will serve no one. Until either the PRC backs down from this course of action or adheres to the international court ruling, Japan will exert its right to protect its sovereign islands and participate in internationally conducted patrols with its most important ally the United States. As we say in America, Bullshit Talks and Bullshit Walks. Let's hope nobody gets killed over this. Peace out!

Kumamoto Disaster Relief: JMSDF Hyuga in Action

On April 19th following the Kumamoto Quakes, Japan's JMSDF deployed it's "Helicopter Destroyer" Hyuga (DDH-181) to assist in disaster relief operations. The following photos show a USMC V-22 tilt-rotor Osprey landing on the Hyuga's deck to deliver additional supplies. 

USMC V-22 on approach.

 "Call your ball!"

Seen here: Hyuga's crew offloads relief from the USMC V-22 on Hyuga's deck. Other JMSDF ships including the much larger "Helicopter Destroyer" Izumo (DD-183) are being deployed along with U.S. Navy ships to help in relief efforts. We at American Mishima support these efforts to help the people of Kumamoto. Ganbatte Kudasai!

Upping the Ante: China to build 1st Domesticly Constructed Aircraft Carrier?

As 2015 readies to enter the history books, 2016 looks ahead to more tension in the South China Seas as rumors circulate on the internet of the PRC building it's first domestically produced aircraft carrier. Word has it the Chinese Navy is looking to construct four of these large carriers in addition to the recently deployed former Soviet Navy carrier now renamed Liaoning into service. While many are calling this latest development a potential nightmare for the U.S. Navy, rest assured that while the Chinese have money they do not have the experience or technical know how to build a carrier that could rival our new Ford Class carriers. This none the less will present a challenge to the the U.S. Navy and Japan's JMSDF who at present have two Izumo Class carriers (Izumo & Kaga) but lack the capability to launch fixed wing aircraft due to the restrictions of Article 9 of Japan's American imposed post war constitution. This is exactly what the Abe government needs to emphasize to the the people of Japan that their country and national interests are for the first time since WWII under serious threat from across the sea. In our opinion, the defeatist attitudes of Anti-Abe / Anti-War Pacifists currently protesting the slow re-arming of Japan's small yet capable "Self Defense Forces" are not in tune with the alarming developments on the part of the Chinese Navy. Beijing is counting on the Anti-Abe protesters to instill fears of a certain catastrophic defeat like the one Japan endured at the end of August 1945 should any confrontation with China's Navy happen. This of course is Baka! They do this because while they may not fear today's small  JMSDF, they do fear the idea of Japan's small military becoming powerful enough to resurrect the fears of Japan's aggressive past that saw a brutal occupation of Mainland China. But that was then and this is now.

While China's new rumored carriers are years away from completion, they still have one capable carrier that has already put out to sea. Neither the Governments of the Philippines or Vietnam have the muscle (or in Vietnam's case the political will) to meet these challenges poised by Beijing. So like it or not, it is up to the United States Navy and Japan's JMSDF to keep the peace and freedom of movement in the air and on the high seas of the international waters of the South China Seas.While this problem will most certainly get out of hand, we at American Mishima will pray for peace and hopes that Japan continues to upgrade it's SDF so that cooler heads will prevail.

Turning the Tables in the East China Seas

Over the last two years we have seen the PRC's Navy build artificial islands in the East China Seas in what could be best surmised as a militarization of international waters on the part of a naval expansion of China's Navy and Beijing's military power in the Pacific In an unexpected move, Japan's small yet capable Self Defense Forces have pulled a brilliant tactical ploy by adopting a strategy of deploying 200 + anti-ship missile batteries along Japan's small island chains. This strategy is being called "Anti-Access / Area Denial or A2/AD for short which forces China's Navy seeking to access their new man made militarized islands to pass through the cross hairs of Japan's missile batteries. This strategy also puts Beijing in the same missile cross hairs putting a monkey wrench in any plans to access the greater Pacific Ocean literally turning the tables on Beijing's Island building scheme to claim such artificial islands smack in the middle of international waters as their own sovereign territory. Two can play it that way ね? 

Japan Times reporting on this turn of events have stated that Japan intents to beef up it's forces by 10,000 personnel manning these batteries over the next five years. They will be backed up with submarines, amphibious craft, and F-35 fighter planes. Then of course there is the U.S. 7th Fleet. While there continues to be opposition the PM Abe's military buildup, US demands of Japan taking a greater role in regional security and the on going situation with Chinese military expansion in the East China Seas make it necessary for Japan to expand it's military capabilities. While we at American Mishima are not in favor of war, we do believe Japan has the right to defend itself and should have the legal right to aid it's allies in the event of trouble. On a strategic level, PM Abe is taking Japan's SDF on the right course. We wish everyone serving in the SDF and our USN 7th Fleet safe sailing. We're counting on you!