China warns US over new Asia-Pacific military strategy

BEIJING: China has warned the United States over its new military strategy, which includes a shift in focus to the Asia-Pacific region.

The plan for a new, "leaner" military was unveiled Thursday by President Barack Obama at the Pentagon. 

Xinhua, the Chinese government's news agency, cautioned the US military against acting "like a bull in a china shop," but said the new strategy could help China by creating a "peaceful environment" in the region.

The Xinhua editorial warned the US against "flexing its muscles":

Obama on Thursday announced a plan that will include about $450 billion in cuts to the military over the next decade, The New York Times reported.

US Central Command urged greater trust with the Pakistani military

WASHINGTON: The head of US Central Command urged greater trust and communications with the Pakistani military on Monday amid a diplomatic crisis after US air strikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers last month.

General James Mattis made his recommendations after his command, which oversees US military operations across a wide swath of North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, released the results of its own investigation into the November 25-26 incident.

A joint US-Nato investigation unveiled last week portrayed a disastrous spate of errors and botched communication in which both sides failed to inform the other about their operational plans or the location of troops.

"The strongest take-away from this incident is the fundamental fact that we must improve border coordination and this requires a foundational level of trust on both sides of the border," Mattis said in a statement.

The deadliest single cross-border attack of the 10-year war in Afghanistan, the strike has plunged the precarious Pakistani-US alliance to its lowest ebb in a decade with both sides in dispute about the precise sequence of events.

Islamabad rejected the earlier US inquiry after the Americans insisted their troops responded only after coming under heavy machine-gun and mortar fire.

Although the US-Nato probe acknowledged the Americans had relayed "incorrect mapping information" to a Pakistani liaison officer that gave the wrong location for Pakistani troops at border outposts, the CENTCOM report made no mention of discipline of US or Nato personnel.

But Mattis directed Nato's International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) commander General John Allen to take a number of corrective actions to improve the now-moribund relationship with Islamabad, including fostering "improved, mutual trust" between forces working in the mostly lawless border areas.

Troops should also "clarify authorities, responsibilities, and standard operating procedures" in the area as well as conduct formal exercises and drills to improve coordination and reduce chances of conflict.

Mattis also called for "full disclosure of all border area facilities and installations" on both sides of the border, with updates using a shared database and map as well as organizing coordination visits.

The comments came as The New York Times reported that US officials believe a counterterrorism alliance with Pakistan can survive only in a limited form, as a deterioration in ties complicates the ability to launch attacks against Islamic extremists and move supplies into Afghanistan.

"We've closed the chapter on the post-9/11 period," the Times quoted a senior US official as saying. "Pakistan has told us very clearly that they are re-evaluating the entire relationship."

Kayani, Allen did not discuss Nato supply: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: The ISPR has issued a statement saying that during the conversation between Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISAF Commander General John Allen the issue of reopening the NATO supply route did not come under discussion.

Earlier reports had indicated that this issue was discussed during a telephonic conversation between Kayani and Allen on 12 December 2011. (Gew News Report).

Pentagon wants restoration of Pak posts on Afghan border

WASHINGTON: Pentagon Tuesday expressed hope that Pakistan would restore all posts at Afghan border.

Earlier, Pakistan temporarily recalled some troops from border posts meant to coordinate activity with international forces in Afghanistan.

According to the Pentagon spokesman, this would certainly have an impact on the operations and risks the chances of incidents like the one that happened last month. He said that availability of centres would help to stop such incidents.

He said they wanted to get back a level of greater cooperation with Pakistani military.

Spokesman said that Pakistan did not recall all of its personnel, adding that they left one officer in each centres.

Obama phones Zardari; condoles Pak soldiers death

WASHINGTON: US president Barrack Obama on Sunday telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari and offered condolences over the martyrdom of Pakistani soldiers in Nato air strike.

A White House statement said Obama placed a call early Sunday to Zardari expressing his regrets over the "tragic loss" and promising a "full investigation" into the incident, which has plunged the two uneasy allies into a diplomatic crisis.

Obama "made clear that this regrettable incident was not a deliberate attack on Pakistan and reiterated the United States' strong commitment to a full investigation," the statement said.

Islamabad has so far refused to take part in a US investigation into the November 26 air strikes on the Afghan border.

But the White House said Obama and Zardari nonetheless "reaffirmed their commitment to the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship, which is critical to the security of both nations, and they agreed to stay in close touch."

In the wake of the strikes, Pakistan decided not to take part in the Bonn Conference on the future of Afghanistan that opens Monday -- a decision which, together with the Taliban's boycott, has cast the event's usefulness into doubt.

Pakistan has also shut down NATO's vital supply line into Afghanistan and ordered American personnel to leave Shamsi air base.

The base is widely understood to have been a hub for the covert CIA drone war on Taliban and Al-Qaeda commanders in Pakistan's troubled border areas with Afghanistan.

US officials say Pakistan leaving liaison centers

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is pulling its troops out of at least two of the three centers meant to coordinate military activity across the Afghan border in apparent retaliation for NATO airstrikes that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers, US military officials said.

A senior Pakistani military official says the force is temporarily pulling back some of its troops from centers meant to coordinate activity with international forces across the Afghan border.

The official said on Tuesday the troops are returning for several days of "consultation" to determine how to improve coordination with NATO forces in Afghanistan after coalition airstrikes last month killed 24 Pakistani soldiers.

Both the Pakistani and the US officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The move will hamper US efforts to liaise with Pakistani forces, increasing the risk that something could go wrong again, said the officials late Monday. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The US and Pakistan have offered different accounts of what led to the NATO attacks against two army posts along the Afghan border before dawn on Nov. 26, but the deadly incident seems to have been caused in part by communication breakdowns.

U.S. Says It Will Not Alter Missile Shield Plan

WASHINGTON - The United States will not alter its plans to deploy a NATO missile defense system in Eastern Europe, U.S. officials said Nov. 23, adding the shield was not aimed at Russia.

"The United States has been open and transparent with Russia on our plans for missile defense in Europe, which reflect a growing threat to our allies from Iran that we are committed to deterring," insisted National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor. 

He added: "In multiple channels, we have explained to Russian officials that the missile defense systems planned for deployment in Europe do not and cannot threaten Russia's strategic deterrent." He was speaking after Russia warned it could deploy missiles on the EU's borders to strike against the planned missile defense facilities. 

President Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow was prepared to deploy short range Iskander Missiles in the Kaliningrad enclave that borders EU members Poland and Lithuania. Romania and Poland have agreed to host part of a revamped U.S. missile shield which Washington said is aimed solely at "rogue" states like Iran but Moscow believes would also target its own capability.

NATO member Turkey has also decided to host an early warning radar at a military facility near Malatya in the southeast. Vietor said the implementation of the missile system in eastern Europe "is going well and we see no basis for threats to withdraw from it."

"We continue to believe that cooperation with Russia on missile defense can enhance the security of the United States, our allies in Europe, and Russia, and we will continue to work with Russia to define the parameters of possible cooperation," he said. "However, in pursuing this cooperation, we will not in any way limit or change our deployment plans in Europe."

A Pentagon spokesman also stressed Nov. 23 that the system was not aimed at Russia, but sought to deter any ballistic missile threat from Iran. "It's worth reiterating that the European missile defense system that we've been working very hard on with our allies and with Russia over the last few years is not aimed at Russia," said spokesman, Navy Capt. John Kirby. "It's designed to help deter and defeat the ballistic missile threat to Europe and to our allies from Iran."

Weapons used by US Army

M16A2 Assault Rifle

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO ball rounds Max Effective Rate of Fire: 45 rounds per minute (semi-auto) 90 rounds per minute (3-round burst) Weight: 7.78 lbs (no sling or magazine) 8.79 lbs (30-round magazine) Length: 39.63 inches Range: 3,600 meters (maximum) 550 meters (max effective point target) 800 meters (max effective area target)	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Burst (3-rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 30-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: Iron Sights Mission Role / Assignment: Infantry Rifleman

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M4A1 Carbine

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO ball rounds Max Effective Rate of Fire: 45 rounds per minute (semi-auto) 90 rounds per minute (3-round burst) Weight: 6.49 lbs (no sling or magazine) 7.50 lbs (30-round magazine) Length: 29.35 inches (buttstock closed) 33.0 inches (buttstock open) Range: 3,600 meters (maximum) 500 meters (max effective point target) 800 meters (max effective area target)	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Automatic (unlimited rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 30-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: Iron Sights ACOG Reflex Sight M68 Aimpoint M203 40mm Grenade Launcher Suppressor Harris Bipod Mission Role / Assignment: Infantry Squad Leader Infantry Fire Team Leader Ranger Rifleman Special Forces Weapon Sergeant (18B)

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M4A1 SOPMOD (Special Operations Peculuiar Modification)

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Ammunition: 5.56x45mm NATO Max Effective Rate Of Fire: 45 rounds per minute (semi-auto) 90 rounds per minute (3-round burst) 700-1000 rounds per minute (auto) Range: 274m (max) Muzzle Velocity: 924m/s Length: 29.9in with stock extended, 26.8 with stock collapsed	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Automatic (unlimited rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 30-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: Iron Sights ACOG Reflex Sight M68 Aimpoint M203 40mm Grenade Launcher Suppressor Harris Bipod Mission Role / Assignment: Infantry Squad Leader Infantry Fire Team Leader Ranger Rifleman Special Forces Weapon Sergeant (18C)

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M16A2 / M203 Grenade Launcher

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Semiautomatic, or burst fire only, grenade launcher, leaf sight Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO, and 40mm high explosive grenade Ammunition Capacity: 30 round box magazine, grenades vary Rate Of Fire: 12-15rpm (sustained), 45rpm (semi), 90rpm (burst), grenade is single shot only and must be reloaded after each shot Range: M16 component, 800m (max), 550m (effective); M203 component, 350yd (max for area target), 150yd (max for point target) Muzzle Velocity: 975m/s Length: 39.63in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Burst (3 rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 30-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: Iron Sights Leaf Sight (M203) M203 40mm Grenade Launcher Mission Role / Assignment:

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M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW)

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Automatic only, bipod Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO Ammunition Capacity: 200 round belt Rate Of Fire: 725rpm (cyclic), 85rpm (sustained) Range: 1000m (max effective) Muzzle Velocity: 915m/s Length: 40.94in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Automatic (unlimited rounds per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 200-round Belt Special Features / Attachments: Integrated Bipod Mission Role / Assignment:

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M24 SWS

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Bolt action, bipod, 8x scope Caliber: 7.62x51mm NATO Ammunition Capacity: 5 round internal magazine Rate Of Fire: NA Range: 800m (max effective) Muzzle Velocity: 853m/s Length: 43in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 5-round magazines Special Features / Attachments: M3A Day Scope Harris Bipod Mission Role / Assignment: Advanced Marksman

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M82A1 SAMR

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Semiautomatic, bipod, 10x scope Caliber: 12.7x99mm (.50 cal BMG) Ammunition Capacity: 10 round box magazine Rate Of Fire: NA Range: 1800m (max effective) Muzzle Velocity: 893m/s Length: 57in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 10-round box Special Features / Attachments: 10x Day Scope Integrated Bipod Mission Role / Assignment: Advanced Marksman

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MK 12 MOD 0 Special Purpose Rifle (SPR)

Specifications	Game Relevancy	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Semiautomatic only, 8x scope, bipod, detachable suppressor Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO Ammunition Capacity: 20 round box magazine Rate Of Fire: 12-15rpm (sustained), 45rpm (semi) Range: 800m (max), 550m (effective) Muzzle Velocity: 948m/s Length: 39.63in	Firing Modes: Semiautomatic (single round per trigger depress) Ammo Capacity: 20-round Box magazines Special Features / Attachments: 8x Day Scope Harris Bipod Detachable Suppressor Mission Role / Assignment: Special Forces Advanced Marksman Note : The firing rate of the SPR is slower in America’s Army compared to real life due to gameplay concerns.

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M9 Beretta Pistol

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Semiautomatic only Caliber: 9x19mm NATO Ammunition Capacity: 15 round box magazine Rate Of Fire: NA Range: 50m Muzzle Velocity: 365m/s Length: 8.54in

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Javelin Anti-tank Missile

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Single-Shot, Fire and Forget. Command Launch Unit (CLU) Caliber: HEAT Ammunition Capacity: Single missile in disposable tube Rate Of Fire: N/A Range: 2500m Muzzle Velocity: Length: 1.76 meters

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M136 AT4 Light Anti-Tank Weapon

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Single-shot, disposable Caliber: 84mm High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) Ammunition Capacity: Single rocket in disposable tube Rate Of Fire: Single use Range: 300m Muzzle Velocity: 285m/s Length: 40in *BEWARE BACKBLAST!

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M141 Bunker Defeat Munition (BDM)

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Single-shot, disposable, extendable tube Caliber: 83mm High Explosive Dual Purpose (HEDP), with follow-on fragmentation grenade Ammunition Capacity: Single rocket in disposable tube Rate Of Fire: Single use Range: 15m-500m Muzzle Velocity: NA Length: 32in (not extended), 54in (extended) *BEWARE BACKBLAST!

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M67 Fragmentation Grenade

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Can be thrown, or rolled Fuse Length: 4-5 seconds Filler: 6.5 oz composition B explosive Capabilities: 5m (lethal radius), 15m (casualty radius), however fragments can fly as far as 230m

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M83 White Smoke Grenade

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Can be thrown, or rolled Fuse Length: 4-5 seconds Filler: 11oz of Terphthalic Acid Capabilities: Generates white smoke

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AN-M14 TH3 Incendiary Hand Grenade

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Can be thrown, or rolled Fuse Length: 4-5 seconds Filler: 26.5 oz thermate (TH3) mixture Capabilities: Generates molten iron for incendiary effects

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M84 Stun Grenade

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
Features: Can be thrown, or rolled Fuse Length: 1-2 seconds Filler: 4.5g of Magnesium Mixture Capabilities: Generates blinding flash and sound effects

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AGP-DB14 Door Breaching Charge

Specifications	Weapon Recognition Image
This is a field-constructed charge used to breach doors. However some doorways may be too strong for this charge, and would require heavier weaponry (e.g.: BDM). The charge has a 5-6 second fuse, and requires a few seconds to place onto the door.

Retrieved from "http://manual.americasarmy.com/index.php/U.S._Army_Weapons"

US Army Weapons

The regular U.S. Army has an arsenal of various weapons, from small arms to anti-tank weapons. During Basic Training (BCT) every Soldier must qualify with his/her standard rifle, the M16 (America's Army models the M16A2, but the Army has transitioned to the M16A3 and M16A4 models). Soldiers also train with a variety of other weapons during BCT, including the M249 Squad Assault Rifle (SAW), the M67 Fragmentary Grenade and the AT4 Anti-Armor Rocket. Depending on a Soldier's particular Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) they might also train and qualify with weapons such as the M203 Grenade, the M2 .50 cal Machine Gun and/or the Javelin Missile System. Many Infantry and Ranger units now employ the M4A1 Carbine Rifle, a more compact variant of the M16, due to its success in close-quarters and urban combat environments. Today the M4A1 is often seen outfitted with a variety of special sighting attachments such as the M68 Aimpoint or the ACOG Reflex.

However, as you have learned in U.S. Weapons training, every Soldier experiences other weapons in addition to the M16A2. As a Soldier advances in their America's Army experience, new opportunities become available allowing them to use new weapons and/or modify their weapons for specific mission objectives.

With the addition of America's Army: Special Forces, new weapons and modifications have become available. Although some of these weapons are only accessible upon completion of certain training requirements. The M9 pistol is assigned to Advanced Marksman (Snipers) as a means of secondary self-defense upon primary weapon malfunction or in the event of a close-quarters combat (CQB) situation when the primary weapon expends its current magazine and a combat reload isn't feasible.

Additionally, when playing as an Indigenous Forces Soldier, during Special Forces missions, certain foreign weapons will be assigned (such as the RPG-7 anti-tank weapon, AK-74 5.45mm assault rifle and RPK light machine gun). Once Special Forces training has been completed several additional weapons will become available, such as the M4A1 SOPMOD, which supports a variety of specialized sighting and other attachments. Additionally, as a Special Forces Weapons Sergeant (18B) the Special Purpose Rifle (SPR) is provided as a light sniper weapon.

Retrieved from "http://manual.americasarmy.com/index.php/U.S._Army_Weapons"