Marathons in a war zone?

Capt. Frazer Alexander, a vehicle maintenance officer with 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards, and a native of Luxembourg, slowly hobbles away from the finish line of the Marine Corps Marathon Forward aboard Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, Oct. 30. Alexander was the overall winner of the marathon and finished in 2 hours and 49 minutes. More than 300 coalition service members participated in the 26.2-mile marathon, which has been held annually aboard Leatherneck since 2009. The race is a satellite edition of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., one of the most popular marathons in the U.S.

Say it out loud and see if it makes sense to you.

They're running marathons in a war zone.

Say it again and see if this crap makes sense.

They're running marathons in a war zone.

Are we operating at max effort to accomplish the mission or is the mission now the mission.  One thing is certain.  Its a counter insurgency for some of our forces.  Anti-terrorist for others and it would appear to be pure dee nation building for the majority.  And with that being the case, its time to leave.

The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) conducted their first at-sea training evolution

House Armed Services Subcommittee Chairmen wants the USMC spared from budget cuts!

Thanks Jonathan for the article.  The Marines do indeed have friends in high places.

Decimating the 9-1-1 Force
Budget Cutters Must Spare U.S. Marines

By Rep. J. Randy Forbes , chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services readi­ness subcommittee; and Rep. W. Todd Akin , chairman of the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee.

From the birth of the U.S.Marine Corps in November 1775 to the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima in March 1945 to the current pursuit of terror­ists and efforts to ensure stabili­ty in the Western Pacific, U.S.

Marines have always been rec­ognized as Americans willing to go in harm’s way at a moment’s notice and stay as long as we ask them to. But that vision is at risk.

At a time when the Marines have been in combat for 10 years, Congress and the adminis­tration have taken to hacking away at the defense budget. For the Marines, even the reductions already enacted threaten to cut to the bone. Americans must rec­ognize that the future may be one without the Marine Corps as we know it.

Today, the Marines are 202,000 strong. The commandant says he needs at least 186,800 to carry out the missions asked of him. But the roughly $465 billion in defense cuts enacted under the Budget Control Act will slash the ranks to 173,000, nearly 14,000 short of the minimum requirement.As it stands, 29,000 Marines are on track to be separated from ser­vice. However, if automatic de­fense cuts under sequestration are triggered, the Marines will be slashed to 145,000 — the smallest Corps in more than five decades.

Our commanders will be short a staggering 41,600 Marines needed to meet requirements and 57,000  – or more than one in four — will be pink-slipped.

But that’s just the numbers. The impact on the Corps in terms of its capability will be devastating.

Noncombat evacuation opera­tions would likely only be possi­ble in a peaceful environment; rarely do we ask the Marines to go into an embassy to rescue Americans under peaceful cir­cumstances. It would mean the end of some Marine Expedi­tionary Units — the same Marines deployed aboard Navy ships that serve to deter potential aggres­sion and stand ready to respond as America’s 9-1-1 force to unfore­seen crises.

It would also mean longer de­ployments and less time at home for those Marines fortunate enough to keep the job they love.

It doesn’t end there. In addition to decimating the Marines in service, these cuts would force the smaller Corps to operate in an austere training environment.

After a decade spent wearing down their equipment in Iraq, the Corps won’t even be able to re­pair or replace the equipment they’ve been using.

At the same time, the Navy will likely be forced to cut two carrier strike groups and shrink its fleet of amphibious ships to less than half the current Marine Corps require­ment. This type of radical change to our ability to project power from the seas hardly seems wise when the U.S. has been increasing­ly challenged with the diplomatic hurdles necessary to secure over­seas bases and airfields.

The United States is a mar­itime nation and always will be.

As the commandant observed, the Marines provide an ideal “middleweight force” that is “most ready when the nation is least ready.” Before leaving office, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said it best: “Our record of pre­dicting where we will use military force since Vietnam is perfect. We have never once gotten it right.” In an increasingly dangerous and unpredictable world, we will continue to need the versatility the Marines can provide, whether we like it or not.

- from the electronic version of DefenseNews.com

 

While all eyes are on the M.E. there's an arms race in South America...

DEFSA Blog is reporting that Chile has recently acquired a French LPD.

The Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile) is to receive a French Navy (Marine Nationale) amphibian vessel. According media reports, the DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) is to transfrer the TCD type (Transport de Chalands de Débarquement) L9011 FS “Foudre” landing ship dock.

With L9012 FS “Siroco”, L9011 FS “Foudre”, is one of the two TCDs in service with the French Navy.

It seems that we're all missing something very important that's happening on our doorsteps.  South American countries are gearing up.  Weapons purchases by those countries are off the charts and they're advanced weapons too.  Why Chile would need an LPD is beyond me, but they believe they do and that's all that matters.  In a limited way, Chile now has the ability to project power.

Interesting.

Grumman 698...another what if...

Joe sent me an article by that prolific blogger, anti-Marine and part time mad man named Mike Sparks on his proposal for a return to sea planes.  You can read it here, but what caught my eye was the Grumman 698.  Little information is available and I wish Sweetman wasn't mad at me cause I'd love to know the history on this project.

USMC adopts Serpa Holsters. Why?

So the USMC has adopted the Serpa Holster.

I have no problem with the idea from a safety standpoint like some of the detractors.  What I have an issue with is the actual utility of the thing.

Its not a safety issue.  No its a protection issue, a running, crawling, moving through the bush, banging against walls jumping through windows kinda issue.

The Serpa doesn't protect your firearm, it won't keep a tender thing like the Beretta protected and when you're down to a side arm then you're in a bad place.

Marine Corps procurement gone wrong exhibit one.  Buying the Serpa Holster.

Yep, the ole' M12 ain't stylish, cutting edge etc...but what it is is a tool thats designed to protect another tool.  It passes the eyeball test for Shock Troops...not barbie dolls playing dress up.

Space Nazis.

The 25th Reich Web Teaser 1 HD from Revolution Pictures on Vimeo.


This film is definitely campy.  To be released in 2012 its called the "25th Reich"...it has everything a conspiracy theorist could love...
*Secret Nazi base in Antarctica
*Secret Nazi base on the moon
*Hitler surviving WW2
*Nazi flying saucers
And thats just what I could make out in the trailer.  Weird but crazy enough for me to maybe take a look.  Hey, I luv sci-fi, what can I say?

Being an Apache Pilot isn't good enough for 'Kit-Up'

I want to point readers to this passage in an article by Kit-Up....

I’ll continue to scour for some cool Foreign SOF stuff and post.  Anyway, enjoy the video. The Danes have a solid program as you can see. Also worth mentioning that the Danish Prince is actually a Frogman. Good on him….Prince Harry could learn a few things from him I suspect.

Wow.

So serving your country in a capacity other than Special Ops means that you're a lesser human?  And you wonder why I cringe at the thought of the USMC getting closer to these guys!

Hiring our Heroes.

No not late.  Real fucking late.  But I guess better late than never.  BlackFive is reporting that the US Commerce Dept US Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring hiring events for veterans.  Check it out at their spot here.

SIDENOTE.

I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR POLITICS BUT WITH ALL THE LIP SERVICE GIVEN AND ALL THE INACTION TAKEN, I FIND IT BEYOND AMUSING THAT A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION AND NOT A GOVERNMENT ONE  IS ACTUALLY PUTTING 'BULLETS DOWN RANGE' ON THIS ISSUE...I GUESS ITS EASIER TO TALK A GOOD GAME RATHER THAN ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE VETS LOOKING FOR WORK.  ANYTIME I SEE ANYTHING JOB SEARCH RELATED FOR YOU GUYS I'LL MAKE SURE I POST IT. 

US, Philippine Marines conduct amphibious raid on a beach in Palawan

2nd Land Army????

The US Marine Corps has made a terrible mistake.

You don't adopt the language of your critics when you're trying to re-orient yourself to another mission.  Take for example this 2nd land army talk.

OUR NATION NEEDED THE USMC TO SERVE ON  LAND FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.  THAT DOES NOT MAKE US A SECOND LAND ARMY!

The leadership at HQMC is deficient.  They're so fucking joint.  So damn politically correct, that they've adopted the language of our critics.

Pitiful, pathetic and something we need to fix.

USMC Assault Breacher Vehicle in action - Afghanistan

Found my next truck...

AEV Brute.  Its a conversion so that gives me pause...Jeep was suppose to be introducing these type vehicles but hasn't pulled the trigger yet..so..time to start saving.  Check it out here for yourself.

Does the thought of lower defense budgets have you down? No problem, simply militarize American police depts!

via Jalopnik
The title is tongue in cheek.  Well a little tongue in cheek anyway...check out Alpine Armoring website for more details.

AMERCAL 2011 ...the video

Info needed (beyond Google searches)...USAF Red Horse...

U.S. Air Force Airmen from the 820th RED HORSE airborne flight, parachute into a drop zone from a C-17 Globemaster III Oct. 15, 2011, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. RED HORSE and 6 CTS Airmen perform airdrop missions to stay current on training and certifications, enabling them to perform jump missions and operate their own drop zones. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Taylor Worley)

Great photo and the caption has me curious.  Do these guys deploy?  How are they used in theater?  Do they make use of these skill sets?  Did they build the UAV base in Ethiopia?

Interesting skill set and one that would appear to be in demand...especially further inland.  The USAF version of SeaBees?

USMC and the JLTV.

“It must be light enough to leverage the flexibility and capacity of amphibious shipping, yet heavy enough to accomplish the mission. Larger than special operations forces, but lighter and more expeditionary than conventional Army units, we must be able to engage and respond quickly – often from the sea – with enough forces to carry the day,” the report stated. “The imperative for the Marine Corps is to preserve capabilities developed since 9/11, expand our engagement efforts, respond to crisis and still be able to project power for the most dangerous threat scenarios.

With the above statement describing the Marine Corps of the future then how do we justify buying the JLTV?

The Commandant recently talked about belt tightening...how does buying this vehicle help us do that?

We have more MRAPs in inventory than we know what to do with.  If IEDs are a threat to our forces then we'll need to get them out of storage...even the MATV is too light to deal with many of them and its still heavier than the JLTV.

So tell me how it makes sense for the Marine Corps to buy 3000 of these vehicles?!

Time to activate the Marine Corps super power...

Turkey gets used AH-1W's, we get new AH-1Z's?

via eKurd.net.

WASHINGTON, — The Obama administration is consulting Congress on an unusual proposal to transfer U.S. Marine Corps attack helicopters to Turkey, U.S. officials said on Thursday, as Ankara tries to exact revenge for a major attack by Kurdish PKK separatists.

Turkey, a NATO ally, has been seeking AH-1 SuperCobra helicopters to replace those lost in its long struggle against separatist rebels from the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.

Under the administration's plan, the Marines would get two new, late-model Textron Inc Bell AH-1Z SuperCobras in exchange    for the three AH-1W aircraft that would be transferred to Ankara from current inventory, a congressional official said.

The officials declined to be identified because of the matter's sensitivity and because they were not authorized to speak on the record. The idea to take weapons from the U.S. arsenal was rare, they said.

The proposal has been held up amid lawmakers' questions about increasingly distant relations between Muslim-majority Turkey and Israel, a key U.S. ally, among other matters.

The AH-1W has sold previously for about $10 million. Turkey bought 10 of them in the 1990s. The larger, twin-engine AH-IZ may sell for about $30 million, according to industry sources.

Under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act, the executive branch must provide 15 days' formal notice to Congress before going ahead with significant arms transfers to a NATO partner. It was not immediately clear when such notice might take place,www.ekurd.net with informal congressional consultations continuing.

Turkey last week launched air and ground assaults on Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, vowing to exact "great revenge" after 24 Turkish troops were killed on October 19 in one of the deadliest Kurdish attacks in years.

The administration's proposal to transfer the helicopters pre-dates the October 19 attack on Turkish forces near the border with Iraqi Kurdistan region.

The United States and Turkey have a strong tradition of military cooperation, both bilaterally and inside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Turkey agreed last month to host a powerful U.S.-supplied radar system to act as advanced eyes for a layered shield against ballistic missiles coming from outside Europe.

The AN/TPY-2 surveillance radar in Turkey will boost the shield's capability against Iran, which Washington alleges is seeking to build nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran denies.

Since August 17, Turkish jets repeatedly carried out air strikes against the Kurdish PKK separatist group's bases in Iraqi Kurdistan region, under justification of chasing elements of the anti-Ankara PKK, forcing large numbers of Kurdish citizens of those areas to desert their home villages, including an air raid that killed 7 Kurdish civilians in a village north of Kurdistan’s Sulaimaniyah city on August 21st.

Since it was established in 1984, the PKK has been fighting the Turkish state, which still denies the constitutional existence of Kurds, to establish a Kurdish state in the south east of the country, sparking a conflict that has claimed some 45,000 lives.

But now its aim is the creation an autonomous Kurdish region and more cultural rights for ethnic Kurds who constitute the greatest minority in Turkey, numbering more than 20 million. A large Turkey's Kurdish community openly sympathise with the Kurdish PKK rebels.

PKK's demands included releasing PKK detainees, lifting the ban on education in Kurdish, paving the way for an autonomous democrat Kurdish system within Turkey, reducing pressure on the detained PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, stopping military action against the Kurdish party and recomposing the Turkish constitution.

Turkey refuses to recognize its Kurdish population as a distinct minority. It has allowed some cultural rights such as limited broadcasts in the Kurdish language and private Kurdish language courses with the prodding of the European Union, but Kurdish politicians say the measures fall short of their expectations.

The PKK is considered as 'terrorist' organization by Ankara, U.S., the PKK continues to be on the blacklist list in EU despite court ruling which overturned a decision to place the Kurdish rebel group PKK and its political wing on the European Union's terror list. 

Copyright ©, respective author or news agency, Reuters | ekurd.net | Agencies  

Wow.

I don't know the politics of the area.

I thought the Kurds were our allies against Sadaam, and it would appear that in Turkey they're being abused.

Europe doesn't consider the PKK a terrorist group.

We do.

I like the idea of a State Dept purchase of two new AH-1Z's for the USMC but the politics of this really need to be sorted out before I jump for joy.

Something about this reeks, and I can't put my finger on it.

British Marines conduct mechanized raid into Somalia from the sea!

Via the Telegraph.

Marines in daring amphibious raid in Somalia

Royal Marines have staged a daring raid in Somalia to seize a tribal leader, it was reported last night.

The commandos carried out a dramatic amphibious landing using Viking armoured vehicles launched from landing craft, according to the Daily Mail.

Heavily-armed personnel from 539 Assault Squadron pushed deep inland through the lawless zone to seize the influential clan chief.

He was taken off for talks with MI6 and Foreign Offfice officials aboard a Royal Navy support ship ancored off the coast, centring on issues such as terrror training camps and the seizing of hostages.

The raid in July was the first time British forces have conducted a military operation in the troubled area in 40 years, according to the Mail.

Special Forces have been focusing on the region amid a rise in ships seized offshore by pirates for ransom, the kidnap of citizens from Western countries, and the threat of the Al Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab terror group. 

It is also feared that UK-born terrorists are now increasingly travelling to the zone for training rather than Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The raid came two months before the kidnap of Briton Judith Tebbutt and murder of her husband David at a Kenyan resort near the Somalian border.

Absolutely ballsy.

Absolutely brilliant.

I didn't think British political leadership had the nerve to allow such a raid.  I'm glad I was wrong.

AMERCAL

Photos by Jose Castellonlopez

Combat Assault Company Marines and French Airborne Marines are part of Exercise AMERCAL 2011which is a platoon-level combat arms combined exchange between the French Armed Forces, New Caledonia and U.S. interoperability, enhancing military-to-military relations and improving mutual combat capabilities with French Allies.

US, Philippine Marines storm beach

TAGLAWAYAN BEACH, PALAWAN, Republic of the Philippines -A U.S. Marine from Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Filipino Marine, secure the beach during a boat raid here Oct. 27. The raid was conducted as a part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2012. The bilateral training is designed to build interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner/Released), Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner, 10/27/2011 7:13 AM

TAGLAWAYAN BEACH, PALAWAN, Republic of the Philippines-Philippine Marines and U.S. Marines from Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently in support of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, carry a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft during a boat raid here Oct. 27. The boat raid was conducted as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2012, a bilateral training exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. The bilateral training is designed to build interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner/Released), Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner, 10/27/2011 7:14 AM

TAGLAWAYAN BEACH, PALAWAN, Republic of the Philippines-Philippine Marines and U.S. Marines from Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, currently in support of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, carry a Combat Rubber Reconnaissance Craft during a boat raid here Oct. 27. The boat raid was conducted as part of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2012. The bilateral training is designed to build interoperability between the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marines. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner/Released), Lance Cpl. Brianna Turner, 10/27/2011 7:14 AM

SIDENOTE:

I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT OF BOAT COMPANIES AS BEING TRAINING GROUNDS FOR THE RECON INDOC...LOTS OF TIME IN THE WATER, AND LOTS OF PT.  BUT I DIGRESS.  CAN SOMEONE NAME A TIME WHEN AN MEU'S BLT ACTUALLY DEPLOYED ONE OF THESE ELEMENTS IN A COMBAT/NEAR COMBAT SITUATION?  I CAN'T RECALL OF EVEN ONE MISSION.  WITH THAT IN MIND WHY DO WE STILL HAVE THEM?

F-35 News....

The sixth F-35A Lighting II multirole fighter was delivered to the F-35 Integrated Training Center at Eglin AFB, Florida, on 26 October 2011. The aircraft (Air Force serial number 08-0751) was flown from the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, to the base in near Valparaiso by Marine Corps pilot Maj. Joseph Bachmann. The ferry flight took ninety minutes. This F-35A will be used for pilot and maintainer training at Eglin. The aircraft, a conventional takeoff and landing variant, is the twelfth Lightning II to be delivered in 2011.

The first production F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing multirole fighter for the US Marine Corps was flown for the first time on 25 October 2011 at the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti put the aircraft (Navy bureau number 168057) through a series of functional checks during the nearly one hour sortie. This aircraft will be delivered to the F-35 Integrated Training Center at Eglin AFB, Florida, by the end of 2011.

LSU. SUSTAIN IT!!!!

LSU BY 14!

Pic of the day. Oct 26, 2011.

Marines, Navy come together for 'at-sea' integration exercise

Photo by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim An AV-8B Harrier commences a vertical landing on the flight deck off the USS Iwo Jima during deck landing qualifications as part of the Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) / 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) Oct. 24, 2011. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 and is focused on building the Navy-Marine Team and establish the working relationships and practices necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The AV-8B Harriers are a detachment from VMA-542 based at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.

Two CH-53E Super Stallions take off from the USS Iwo Jima during deck landing qualifications as part of the Amphibious Squadron 8 (PHIBRON 8) / 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) Oct. 24, 2011. PMINT will take place Oct. 24 to Nov. 3 to build the Navy-Marine Team and establish the working relationships and practices necessary to conduct operations from the sea. The CH-53E helicopters are a detachment from HMH-464 based at Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., and comprise part of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), which is the Aviation Combat Element for the 24th MEU.

Unimog Special Forces Ground Mobility Vehicle

Wow.

It never occurred to me to use a Unimog in this way.  It totally makes sense though.  The trucks have won  all kinds of cross country races so its really a natural.

Would SOCOM ever consider trying out the FMTV truck for this type of conversion?  Doubt it--- but the Rangers might be crazy enough to buy these outright.

Criminals are into Ghillie Suits now

This camouflage might work well in nature, but it really stands out in the police station. Oregon investigators believe Gregory Liascos, 36, was wearing this "ghillie" camouflage when he attempted to break into the Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals last week. After setting off alarms, the suspect allegedly fled into a wooded area nearby. Officers only found Liascos when a police dog bit what appeared to be a patch of grass -- which yelped in pain. On Oct. 12, 2011, authorities said Liascos failed to show up for his trial. A warrant has been issued for his arrest. via Huffington Post. 

Force Recon builds trust, camaraderie during PHIBLEX

SIDENOTE: Since when is your back part of a proper PLF???

BASA AIRBASE, Republic of the Philippines-Marines with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, jump out of a C-130 Hercules airplane during a bilateral, low-level static-line parachuting exercise, Oct 25. The Marines were conducting the training with members of the Philippine Armed Forces during the Amphibious Landing Exercise. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/25/2011 6:04 PM

BASA AIRBASE, Republic of the Philippines-A Marine with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to land during bilateral, low level static line parachute training, Oct. 25. The Marine were conducting the training with their Philippine counterparts during the Amphibious Landing Exercise. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/25/2011 5:58 PM

BASA AIRBASE, Republic of the Philippines-A Marine with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, lands during a low level static-line parachute jump, Oct. 25. The Marines were conducting bilateral parachuting training with their Philippine counterparts during the Amphibious Landing Exercise. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/25/2011 6:05 PM

BASA AIRBASE, Republic of the Philippines-A Marine with Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, packs up his parachute with the help of a Philippine Marine, Oct. 25. The Marines were conducting bilateral parachute training with their Philippine counterparts during the Amphibious Landing Exercise. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/25/2011 7:27 PM

P-8A successfully launches first MK 54 weapon test

The P-8A Poseidon successfully launches the first MK 54 "exercise" torpedo Oct. 13 to verify safe separation of MK 54 from the P-8A. (U.S. Navy photo)

Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle

LCS-3 Builder's Trials

The G-Man keeps asking the question and I can't wait till he gets the answer.  Why does the LCS need to do 40 knots????

Australia's new Marine Corps without calling it a Marine Corps....

This is a note that I received from Aussie Digger regarding a conversation that we have been having. 

Simply put, I think Australia needs its own Marine Corps.  Here's his note to me...but first read this article from AN.

AUSTRALIA'S first marines will be ready for war when the navy's first new landing ship enters service in 2012. More than 1000 infantry troops from the Townsville-based 3rd Brigade are being trained in amphibious operations and up to 350 will be based at sea permanently as the defence force moves into a new era of "power projection" when two massive 27,000 tonne Landing Helicopter Dock ships enter service from 2014.
The former Royal Navy 16,000 tonne landing ship Largs Bay, bought for $100 million to become HMAS Choules, will be ready for low-level amphibious operations early next year.
"Whenever one of these ships leaves Townsville she will have soldiers on board rigged and ready to go," Defence's head of modernisation and plans Major General John Caligari said yesterday. The amphibious force will provide the government with a power projection capability that the nation has never had before.

Now his note...

Hey Sol,

I remember we were discussing what the Australian Army is going to do in relation to it's Amphibious Warfare capabilities (and the larger Army in general) on your blog a while back?

Well the plan as of today is this:

The Australian Regular Army has a plan called Project Beersheeba (after the famous battle of Beersheeba involving Australians in WW1) in which it is going to become what it calls an "Army of Three's". Under this plan they are going to create 3 similar Brigade sized groups for our regular forces. Each Brigade will mount 2 light infantry battalions, an artillery Regiment, an Armoured Combat Regiment - ACR, a Combat Engineer Regiment, a Signals Regiment (including EW), a Combat Support Regiment and the Brigade Headquarters.

Each ACR will feature 2x Cavalry Squadrons kitted out with ASLAV-25's and variants, a Tank Squadron kitted out with our current M1A1 AIM Abrams tanks and an armoured lift squadron, kitted out currently with the upgraded M113AS3/4 vehicles we have. This Squadron will have the capability to lift an entire infantry battalion in one lift. In future our ASLAV's are going to be replaced by something like the Boxer IFV and our M113AS3/4's are going to be replaced by something like the Puma IFV. Both of those vehicles are currently the "objective" vehicle (in capability terms) though the actual solution chosen may change as they are not due in-service for another 10 years or so yet. The M1A1 tanks are projected to continue their current TUSK upgrades and are scheduled to remain in-service until at least 2030.

The reason behind such a structure is the size of our forces and our training / deployment / resetting cycle for force generation. Our Army's strategic guidance is that it should have a Brigade sized formation available for extended, deployed operations that is sustainable and can be rotated in place with a "like" force as well as maintaining the capability to deploy a separate battalion sized force to another theatre for shorter duration Ops (though not necessarily lower intensity).

So the 3 like Brigades is how we will manage the raise, train, sustain force generation cycle and meet our Strategic guidance requirements with each Brigade structure, equipped and trained to the same standards. The difference now is that our capabilities in this area are similar, except they are grouped together (like our Tank Regiment for example) for efficiencies sake, rather than what is optimal to support the force as a whole in peacetime and on Ops.

Our supporting elements such as Aviation assets (MRH-90 TTH, Tiger ARH, Chinook, UAV/EW/Air Defence assets etc) will be structured and equipped as independant Brigades but with the element of 3 sub-units per Brigade to support the raise, train, sustain deployment cycle.

Piggy-backing on each of the Regular Brigades will be our Army Reserve units. These will follow the same basic structure and training but will be equipped with less capable (and expensive) equipment but still capable enough of being useful, an example of this would be that instead of Puma IFV's (assuming it's chosen) the Army Reserve will use the Bushmaster IMV. Instead of the Boxer wheeled IFV the Reserve units will use an armoured and up-gunned version of whichever JLTV vehicle we choose and so on.

That will give our main land combat forces 6 full Brigades (2 Divisions) that are structured and trained in an individual and collective way to a similar degree (though the Reserves won't be as well trained collectively) and equipped to a basic degree, the same. 


So that's the main Army. Now onto the part you are probably mostly interested in:



Our new Battalion + sized Amphibious Ready Group.


To meet the other strategic requirement, (ie: maintain at least a battalion group capable of operations in a separate theatre) we are going to employ our 7th regular light battalion to provide our "Amphibious Ready Group". This battalion is going to be bigger and structured differently to our other regular battalions, but it too is going to comply with the rule of 3 "raise, train, sustain" mantra our Army goes by.

It is going to be capable of generating 3x 350 'men' strong sub-units, each capable of deploying aboard our LHD Amphibious vessels. These elements will be trained and equipped for Amphibious Operations, with one of the 350x men groups (let's call them Companies for convenience sake, but they'll be nearly 3 times the size of a normal Australian infantry Company) permanently at sea on a rotational basis on either of the 2 LHD's or our new HMAS Choules (ex- RFA Largs Bay).

These groups will be supported with their own armour, deployable in-direct fire support assets (unknown what this means exactly but probably 120mm mortar systems and precision guided mortar rounds) and supporting direct fire systems, such as Javelin / Carl Gustav anti-armour weapons and so on.   

If a larger contingency occurs, the entire Amphibious Ready Group will be capable of deploying on the 2 LHD's supported by additional armour, artillery, aviation, combat support and so on.

No requirement formally exists yet, for an over the horizon landing capability, but it's relatively early days. That requirement will almost certainly come in future years and Australia will be looking to acquire Amphibious Assault vehicles.

So that is the plan. No Australian Marine Corps or any such thing, but we will have a dedicated Amphibious Army unit capable of deploying up to 1050 troops with our new LHD's, fully supported of course by armour, artillery, aviation assets and so on.

My response to these developments?

Hell Yes!

Baby steps to a full amphibious capability only makes sense.  The Aussie's see the need for a Marine type capability. 

My prediction is that they will soon see a need for a full on S. Korean sized Marine Corps within a decade.

Marines fight Taliban in Afghanistan's Kajaki district

76/62 in action.

F-35B completes at sea testing.

Major league hat tip to SpazSinbad for the press release.

Check out this press release from Naval Air.  Its posted in its entirety and I highlighted "interesting" parts...

USS WASP At Sea -- The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) heads back toward homeport Oct. 21 after spending three weeks at sea hosting the initial sea trials of the F-35B Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The first F-35B landed on Wasp‘s flight deck Oct. 3, beginning an 18-day test period for the aircraft. During the testing, two F-35B Marine Corps test jets (BF-2 and BF-4) accomplished vertical landings and short take-offs under various conditions.

While underway, the world’s first supersonic short take-off, vertical landing (STOVL) fighter logged more than 28 hours of flight time and completed 72 short take-offs and 72 vertical landings.
Wasp crew members worked around the clock with pilots, engineers, mechanics and a wide array of aeronautical professionals, both military and civilian, to meet the mission of the F-35B sea trials.

“Wasp Air Department personnel and the JSF team started working together from day one,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Curcio, Wasp’s assistant air officer and JSF program officer. “Starting initially with the leadership interacting to set the vision for the ship trials, we worked a top-down approach to gradually bring in more people from each respective team.”

“This ensured that, from planning to execution, every detail was tended to and no stone was left unturned. Ultimately, this group was well ahead of the power curve at every juncture,” he said.

The Wasp and the JSF team have been preparing for these sea trials for more than a year. The ship, which typically accommodates the AV-8B Harrier, had to receive modifications and installation of test monitoring equipment in preparation for the F-35B’s arrival.

"We used Harrier operations as a baseline from which to deviate. Working with the JSF team, we identified the operational differences between the AV-8B and the F-35B and we trained to those differences,” said Curcio.

The trials are the first of three scheduled sea-based developmental test events for the STOVL variant periods. One of the goals was to collect environmental data on the deck using instrumentation to measure the F-35B’s sound, power and thermal impact during flight operations.

Ansis Kalnajs, better known as “AK,” a topside design and integration technical warrant for Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), and his team of 31 engineers collected data to capture the effects of the F-35 on flight deck and superstructure components.

“We have been collecting data on how the main engine effects deck edge equipment,” said Kalnajs. “As well as thermal load stresses to the structure and the acoustic effects.”

“We got a sufficient amount of data and real good assessments for the road ahead,” he said.

Also being tested is a newer non-skid deck surface, Thermion, which is supported by a mechanical bond of ceramic and aluminum that makes the surface more resistant to extreme heat and better endures the wear and tear of flight operations. The Thermion covers landing spot nine on the flight deck, a small area used for vertical landings.

“The Thermion shows no signs of heat stress, which is good for the F-35, and eventually good for all surface ships,” said Kalnajs.
During the testing period the WASP and JSF team demonstrated the F-35B’s at-sea capabilities for the Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus; Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Amos; senior military officers; and JSF international partners as well as members of the national media.

The testing for the F-35 and its sea-based operations will continue over the next several years.

“It is imperative that we build off that basic knowledge for the next sea trials,” said Curcio.

The next sea trial, DT-2, is scheduled for 2013 after Wasp receives additional modifications for F-35B operations.

The F-35B is one of three Joint Strike Fighter variants. The ‘B’ was designed for use by the U.S. Marine Corps and is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings for use on amphibious ships or expeditionary airfields to provide air power to the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. The F-35B will replace the AV-8B Harrier, and will continue test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., prior to delivery to the fleet.

PEO(JSF) Public Affairs

A couple of points.

The testing is a wrap and no matter what lies Winslow Wheeler comes up with, its been successful.

Lastly, Mabus is onboard the JSF program, Penetta is onboard the program, Senators that matter are onboard as are House members.

The Anti-JSF insurgency has been crushed. 

Its forces routed.

Its leaders forced to admit failure.

I LUV IT!

Ok. Its time to take a serious look at this 300BLK

To be honest, I've been hearing all the raving about the 300BLK but I cast it in the same pile as the 6.8 and 6.5...wildcat rounds that wouldn't see the light of day and rounds I couldn't be bothered with.

Then we have the additional factor of me being suspicious of the firearm manufacturers.  They will push products that have no advantage over whats already out there and are simply trying to push sales.

Want proof?  DI AR-15's vs. Gas.  A false choice in my opinion.  If I wanted a full size battle rifle I certainly wouldn't be picking up an M4 clone and then bastardize it further by adding every dangle I could off it until it weighed as much as an M-14.

But I digress.

What has me about to take a serious look at the 300BLK is an article from Elements of Power by my boy SMSgt Mac.  He got on the bandwagon so I said to myself hmmmmm....

Then we have an article by Military Times GearScout that says some ole' boy from the US Army Marksmanship team actually won with the damn thing.

Yep, its time to go to the local gun store and take one out for a test drive...Google the hell outta of it and see if its time to add to my armory.

Vietnam will have a better LCS than the US Navy?

Another story from Defense Update.

Vietnam has opted to buy Sigma Corvettes...in essence (and the info is from Wikipedia) they will have a more formidable warship than the US Navy will with Sigma's vs. our LCS'.

That sucks.

The Sigma is more heavily armed.  Has greater endurance.  Its slower but who cares.  Seakeeping?  No idea.  But as it now stands with the exception of mission modules, aviation suites (and I'm guessing on that) speed...the Sigma is clearly superior.

I've been looking at the LCS class through the prism of how it can help the USMC (secondarily Special Ops Command).  That might have been a mistake.  If the ship can't perform its primary mission properly then secondary missions become irrelevant.

Perhaps its time to relegate the LCS-2 class to USMC/SOCOM support, and to just upgun and slow down LCS-1 class and make them proper frigates/corvettes.

UPDATE:

Unlike some, I will make a recommendation instead  of simply criticize.  What ship would I like to see the US Navy acquire instead of LCS?  How about the Absalon class?  Yes...Mike of New Wars fame is sitting somewhere saying I told ya so but he was ahead of his time.

Oh and if you simply want an off shore fighter then how about the Knud Rasmussen class OPV?  Either way you're getting more combat power out the box than with the LCS plus you still have the option to still have your mission modules (thanks Forrest!)

APA and Sweetman must be ready to shoot themselves!

Tongue in cheek Goon and Bill!

Relax...its all in good fun!

Anyway this news from Defense Update and my buddy Spudman must be having the haters ready to kill...Read it and weep...

Japan Self Defense Air Force future replacement of F-4J fighters (F-X) is becoming a head-to-head competition between the two American aerospace giants, Boeing and Lockheed martin, offering the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and an advanced variant F/A-18 Super Hornet. Tokyo is expected to make a decision next month. Besides the two fighters’ operational capabilities Japan is likely to give high marks for involvement of domestic companies.

The rest is here...

SIDENOTE;  WHAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING IS THIS...WHICH F-35 VERSION WILL BE OFFERED TO REPLACE THE F-4'S????  I WOULD BET THE F-35C SINCE THE F-4 HAD A PRIMARY ANTI-SHIPPING MISSION BUT THIS WILL BE TELLING.  IF THEY WOULD BY CHANCE (AND YES ITS WISHFUL THINKING ON MY PART, BUT MIGHT FIT FUTURE DEFENSE TRENDS) PICK THE F-35B AND MAKE THE LHD'S THAT THEY HAVE ANTI-SHIP CRUISERS THEN THE PROGRAM WILL BE COOKING WITH GAS!

Marines storm beach with Philippine counterparts

NAVAL TRAINING FACILITY, SAN MIGUEL, Republic of the Philippines -An Amphibious Assault Vehicle with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, makes its way ashore during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/22/2011 8:00 PM

NAVAL TRAINING FACILITY, SAN MIGUEL, Republic of the Philippines -A Marine with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, partners with a Philippine Marine during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/23/2011 7:12 PM

NAVAL TRAINING FACILITY, SAN MIGUEL, Republic of the Philippines-Marines with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Philippine Marines, exit an amphibious assault vehicle during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/23/2011 6:34 PM

NAVAL TRAINING FACILITY, SAN MIGUEL, Republic of the Philippines -A Marine with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observes Marines movements from an amphibious assault vehicle during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/23/2011 6:54 PM

NAVAL TRAINING FACILITY, SAN MIGUEL, Republic of the Philippines -Marines with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a Philippine Marine, provide security on a beach during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/23/2011 6:36 PM

NAVAL TRAINING FACILITY, SAN MIGUEL, Republic of the Philippines -A Marine with Company G, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Philippine Marine move into position during a mock mechanized amphibious assault, Oct. 23. The assault was a bilateral exercise, and is conducted annually by the Republic of the Philippines and United States. The 31st MEU is operating in support of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade for the exercise, is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the United States’ force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 10/23/2011 6:39 PM