This post is interesting because it brings to a close a story that I have followed on this since nearly the beginning of this blog, namely that the JDS Hyuga was put into commission on the 18th of the month.  Japan now truly possesses the ability to project power outward rather than merely acting defensively with at best limited offensive capability.



From the Japan Times:  Helicopter carrier commissioned

The acquisition of a combat ship that can project force far from Japan raises concerns in Asia and may even spur rivalry with China, which is rumored to covet an aircraft carrier of its own.

Setting another precedent, the ¥105 billion Hyuga will have female officers and enlisted personnel, the first combat ship to have a mixed-sex complement since the Self-Defense Forces were created in 1954.

At a ceremony at IHI Marine United Inc.'s shipyard in Yokohama, Parliamentary Defense Secretary Ryota Takeda handed the MSDF's rising sun ensign to the skipper, Capt. Katsunori Yamada, to hoist on the Hyuga.

Posted by: raging tachikoma at 12:02 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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There is nothing quite like riding a motorcycle, the connection between rider, cycle and road is a truly amazing thing.  I love cars,and I love to drive high performance cars, but nothing can compare the feedback that a bike gives you, every little imperfection in the road surface, the effect of the wind, even sounds that you never hear in a car combine to make for an experience that is unlike any other.  If you have never ridden a motorcycle I highly recommend it, but before you do be sure to take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider course and to wear the proper safety gear.

Posted by: raging tachikoma at 11:51 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Govt to tell SDF to 'destroy' DPRK missiles.

From the Yomiuri Shimbun:

The government has decided to order the Self-Defense Forces to "destroy" missiles predicted to strike Japanese territory, in preparation for North Korea's scheduled launch of what it claims to be a satellite but is believed to be a ballistic missile, government sources said Wednesday.

The order may be issued by the end of this month, according to the sources.

The action will be taken in line with Article 82 of the Self-Defense Forces Law to enable the SDF to intercept missiles using its missile defense system.

Objects to be subject to the order will be defined as "ballistic missiles and others" deemed to pose a threat to Japanese territory. The government said the objects will include satellites predicted to strike Japanese territory--whether water or land--as well as rockets used to launch them, according to the sources.

The SDF law stipulates that prime ministerial approval alone is required for issuing such an order. In practice, however, the order would be issued following cabinet approval and would be announced to the public.

Posted by: raging tachikoma at 04:03 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Well I am surprised and quite happy that this thing has not been deleted after months of inactivity.  I am currently using someone else's unsecured router, but Time warner should be installing my internet on monday. So I am going to try and get this little enterprise back up and running.  Even though I have said that god knows how many times before.   Anyway I hope to have plenty to write about given the current political enviroment and geopolitical situation.  Add to that my unit finally has heavy equipment to train on so we can begin to do our real jobs, well most of us at least.  I wish I was down in the FDC or S-3, but am stuck as  training room clerk/Battery CDR.s driver/RTO at the moment.  Hopefully that will change fairly soon.  Also I should have some good pics since at the end of the month the battalion goes to the field for table VII and VIII certifacation.  Enough yakkiing about that and on to hopefuly more interesting posts.

Posted by: raging tachikoma at 01:27 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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