Monthly Archives: March 2022

Sunday, March 31, 2024

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8:50 PM

Today’s Weather: Sunshine. High 49. 42 now.

Yesterday’s meeting with Japanese government officials was very positive. There was no posturing on their part. My Japanese counterpart laid out his country’s current position and requests. Tokyo is petrified of China and for good reason. Since Taiwan fell, China has been expanding its hold on the Western Pacific. The Philippines is trying to cuddle up to Beijing and even Vietnam has been quiet. South Korea is wary and unwilling to take a position against China unless it can be sure Japan will stand beside her in the short term and hopefully down the road, Australia and the US as well. But I digress.

Japan wants to negotiate terms for a quiet partnership and alliance. Not only a return to the pre-September 2022 relationship our two nations had, but something more expansive and centered on security guarantees. If the US government is unwilling or unable to negotiate this in good faith, then as an alternative Japan would like to discuss to purchase a limited number of tactical nuclear warheads and delivery vehicles from the US at some point in the near future.

The Japanese are convinced it will only be a matter of time before China moves against it. When that moment comes, Tokyo would like to have a nuclear deterrent should the worst case scenario become reality.

I can’t really blame them for that.

Friday, March 29, 2024

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9:30 PM

Today’s Weather: Sun and clouds. High 37. 28 now.

We leave for Hawaii in about three hours. Meanwhile, there’s a ton of work to get done between now and then. This afternoon we received a report from the Coast Guard about an unidentified ship of ‘foreign design’ cruising in the waters between Key Biscayne and North Cat Cay. A fishing boat caught sight of it and radioed the information in. The Coast Guard only has maybe three aircraft covering all of Florida so by the time they detailed a plane to the area, the ship was gone. They’ve requested a P-8 Poseidon from the Navy up in Jax and hopefully by morning, we’ll have an ID on the ship. Given what has been happening down there recently, an unidentified ship of ‘foreign design’ is definitely of interest.

I met with the NSC this afternoon and went over the plan for tomorrow’s meeting with the Japanese. Afterwards, I’m going to meet with COMSUBPAC to discuss sub operations in the Western Pacific. I’m not a sailor so my knowledge of submarine operations is very limited. That means I’m depending on SUBPAC and other type commanders to get me as current as they can. I’ve never even been on board a sub in my entire life, active or museum ship. I suppose that will also have to change in the coming weeks. On the job training.

Thursday March 28, 2024

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8:50 PM

Today’s Weather: Sleet, rain. High 40. 33 now.

Change of plans at the direction of the White House. Instead of slinking off to the Western Pacific on Saturday morning aboard Nightwatch, I’ll be flying back to Hawaii. The Japanese Defense Minister and a select group of other government officials will be flying into Honolulu for a brief stopover on their trip to Peru for discussions on a possible sale of surplus F-2s to that country. They will be on the ground for three hours to refuel and also purportedly to fix a minor maintenance glitch with one of the engines. That will be enough time to meet and discuss a handful of very significant matters. Tokyo was very happy with our offer for talks so I’m hoping this little get-together will be useful to both countries.

Short Delay and Backlog

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Evening, folks

Apologies for not posting the last couple of days and falling behind. Real world responsibilities took over for a bit. I’ll start posting again on Monday and will resume with 28 March, 2024. We’ll just make believe those missing days just vanished and nothing took place. –Mike

Tuesday, March 20, 2024

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10:30 PM

Today’s Weather: Clouds and sun. Still slightly mild. High 43. 35 now.

I’m coming to the realization that the Navy and Army are in desperate need of new civilian leadership. The current SecNav and SecArmy are competent but timid. The shadow of the circumstances and scandal that befell the previous SecDef continues to hang over them. Although they had nothing to do with it, both of them feel guilty through association. I’ve done everything I can think of to show both men I have full faith in them. Unfortunately, I don’t think my pep talks and encouragement are helping. When I come back from Japan, I plan to start the job hunt. Later this week I’ll begin putting out feelers and quietly make some folks aware of my intentions.

Tomorrow I will be testifying in front of the House armed services committee about the projected manpower issues that are on the horizon. Some leaders are very publicly talking about the dreaded D-word and I think I need to put the kibosh on that. We’re not to the point where we need a draft and conscription.  

Monday, March 19, 2024

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9:15 PM

Today’s Weather: Sunny, mild. High 48. 41 now.

I had lunch with President McAlister this afternoon. He told me how pleased and impressed my performance thus far. Once the pep talk was over, we got down to business. In the coming months, the global economy is going to slow down considerably. The president is concerned this will prompt China to start moving in the Pacific. He wants to begin talks with the Japanese and South Koreans…..on the sly, of course…..and to figure out where they stand. Will we be able to present a united front to deter Beijing from expanding its territorial holdings? Or have Tokyo and Seoul moved beyond their alignment with the United States in the wake of the 2022 attack?

We, as a nation, need answers to those questions and fast. Three guesses who gets to cross the Pacific next week and make the inquiries, but you’ll only need one.

Saturday, March 17, 2024

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11:00 PM

Today’s Weather: Cloudy and milder. High 42. 36 now.

My sister is coming to Denver next weekend. Bethany called me this morning and asked if a visit would be possible in the near future. Of course it’s possible. My sister is welcome here whenever she wishes to drop in. The Secret Service might have some concerns but they can work it all out between now and next Friday.

I don’t know if I have mentioned this in any recent entries, but David has told us of his plans to go back to the fleet. The revelation was not a surprise. Neither Lori and I are particularly happy about this but we support his decision 100%. I will not even attempt to analyze my eldest son’s decision…..I just hope that his old man’s new position did not have anything to do with it.

Megan and Alex continue to thrive here in Colorado. Alex will start Colorado State in September while his sister seems to have her heart set on matriculating farther west. Specifically, at Stanford University. She expects an answer from admissions next month and I’ll be surprised if they turn her down. Megan is exactly the type of person Stanford should be recruiting, and I am not only saying that because she’s my daughter. That girl is special.