Login Thursday, 9 September 2010

CURRENT ISSUE Volume 8, Issue 6 August 2010 KMI MEDIA GROUP WEBSITES SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES

Editor's Perspective At the recent Special Operations/Low Intensity Conflict conference and exhibition, Admiral Eric Olson, USSOCOM commander, noted that while the command was not necessarily an owner of many space assets, it was a huge consumer of the products of space intelligence and communications. As most other space-related commands —not only in the United States but in other western countries—I would assume that the recent placing in low orbit of an Iranian satellite should be a measure for concern. The Iranians have increased the intensity of its harsh rhetoric as well as the calculated demonstration of its technological capabilities. Their ability to put objects in space indicates their ability to launch larger and longer-range payloads and to be a player in space—neither is necessarily a positive factor given the government’s intransigent attitude on international cooperation. In another news item of note, capabilities were discovered by advancing Sri Lankan government forces when they overran a Tamil Tiger submarine manufacturing “facility.” Photographs revealed a variety of craft ranging from relatively simple one-man Turtle-like semi-submersibles to more complicated multi-person submarines. The take-away from the discovery is that well-funded and insurgent groups—whether they were the Tigers of Sri Lanka, insurgents in Iraq or Somali pirates—are demonstrating an increasing sophistication in techniques and tools. Intell is our greatest asset as it allows for timely countermeasures, and in some cases, to be out in front of the enemy and be preventive instead of just reactionary. Like us, many of you are making plans to attend the SOFIC conference and exhibition in Tampa this upcoming June. As we have for the past several years we expect to have articles from each of the USSOCOM program offices with their annual updates.  As always, please feel free to contact me if there are any comments or suggestions. Best wishes. Jeffrey D. McKaughan    Editor-In-Chief 301.670.5700 x130 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Upcoming Industry Events   August 10-12, 2010 Special Missions Conference Crane, IN September 13-15, 2010 Air & Space Conference National Harbor, MD Details & Additional Events     SUGGESTION BOX

© Kerrigan Media International, Inc. d.b.a. KMI Media Group. All rights reserved. KMI ("we," "us") provides publications, information, content, text and graphic material, and other products and services (all and/or any portion of which, are individually and collectively referred to as "KMI Publications"). KMI Publications also refers to web sites, production, processing and communications facilities whether owned, operated or provided by us ourselves or in conjunction with others pursuant to contractual arrangements. KMI Publications are for informational purposes only and your access, use, subscription to or display of any KMI Publications is subject to applicable U.S. law and regulation, as well as certain international treaties. You may access and use KMI Publications and download and print or create only one copy of content or the information in KMI Publications, solely for your own personal use. You may not republish, upload, post, transmit or distribute materials from any KMI Publications, without our prior written permission. Modification of or useof any KMI Publications for any other purpose is a violation of our copyright and other proprietary rights, and is strictly prohibited. All trademarks, service marks, and logos used on or in KMI Publications are either ours or are used with permission.