Monday, August 22, 2011

Magpul's taking over.

Check out the Marines in the above photo.

See the guy at the end of the stack?

MAGPUL P-Mags and what appears to be a MAGPUL CTR stock....no big deal really.  The issue stock is trash....but I'm seeing this more and more across all the services.  As a matter of fact the first MAGPUL stock that I saw was being sported by an Airborne soldier during Talisman Saber.

I guess my biggest issue with this type thing is that I've seen alot of additions to the M-16/M4...so many additions in fact that it isn't the light weight, highly portable, easily pointable weapon that it was designed to be.

Quite honestly, once you change it over to a piston system it becomes a totally different beast and will have completely given up every reason for it to be chambered in 5.56.

One change that is long overdue is a switch to a stock that can be used in close combat.  The MAGPUL CTR is too fragile to fill the bill but its something that Quantico should look at. 

Meanwhile back to the boutique weapons options that we're beginning to see.  It was always drilled into my battalion that everyone wore gear the same way, in the same locations and that only issued stuff was to be worn so that in the event that someone needed to "stay in the fight" once you go down it wouldn't be a guessing game on how stuff worked.  I guess those days are over.  I wonder how the new way will work out.

Air Force recovers stolen materials from Friday's raid - www.ktnv.com

Air Force recovers stolen materials from Friday's raid - www.ktnv.com


Wow.

The FBI, US Marshals or ATF is more than capable of handling this type of investigation and recovery of military property. I wonder why the USAF decided it needed to operate off base...this might be perfectly legal but it sure sends the wrong message. Obviously the "powers that be" are either tone deaf, don't care or they're unaware of the alarm that this is causing.

People are on edge.

This isn't helping.

Lima Company conducts field training

Photos by Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter
Lance Cpl. Vincent A. Gonzales covers a corner here Aug. 17 during a field exercise with Company L, one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Company L spent five days in the field during the unit’s first sea-based training since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. The company disembarked USS New Orleans off Pendleton’s coast and was driven ashore by amphibious assault vehicles. A platoon of tracked vehicles from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Camp Pendleton, reinforces the Pendleton-based 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. The platoon provides the go-to means of maneuver for Company L. Gonzales is a 27-year-old Bakersfield, Calif., native and machine gunner with the company.

Lance Cpl. Jeremy Phares, rifleman, sights in Aug. 15 during a live-fire exercise here with Company L, one of three rifle companies in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Company L spent five days in the field during the unit’s first sea-based training since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. The company disembarked USS New Orleans off Pendleton’s coast and was driven ashore by amphibious assault vehicles. A platoon of tracked vehicles from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Camp Pendleton, reinforces the Pendleton-based 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. The platoon provides the go-to means of maneuver for Company L. Phares is a 22-year-old Orange, Texas, native.

Company L Marines rehearse capturing an enemy position Aug. 16 during live-fire training here. The rifle company is one of three in Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Company L spent five days in the field during the unit’s first sea-based training since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. The company disembarked USS New Orleans off Pendleton’s coast and was driven ashore by amphibious assault vehicles. A platoon of tracked vehicles from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, Camp Pendleton, reinforces the Pendleton-based 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines. The platoon provides the go-to means of maneuver for Company L.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Recon Marines sharpen at-sea skills

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, enters a building and begins to secure it, August 18. The Marines of FRP were clearing the house in order to build their vessel boarding, searching and seizing skills. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/17/2011 8:03 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan-A Marine with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to breach and clear a building, August 18. The Marines of FRP were clearing the house in order to build their vessel boarding, searching and seizing skills. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/17/2011 8:05 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, engages multiple targets during an eight-week live-fire training course, August 18. Before the 31st MEU deploys to the Asia-Pacific region, the FRP conducts the training course to ensure they are prepared to respond to any situation that may arise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/17/2011 8:02 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A team of Marines with the Force Reconnaissance Platoon, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, stack outside a door in preparation to breach and clear a building, August 18. The Marines of FRP were clearing the house in order to build their vessel boarding, searching and seizing skills. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/17/2011 8:0

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Bell D188A ingenuity and inspiration from the past.






RetroMechanix is continuing its series on the D188a.

I marvel at the imagination and ingenuity of those that came before.  Not only did they dream, but they designed machines that were truly ahead of their time.

Awesome.  More at RetroMechanix.

Humor. Explanation of the world economic situation in 3 minutes.

via ModernSurvivalOnline.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

NAVAIR AIRWAVES: 18 August 2011

31st MEU's Snipers and PSD's doin' it!

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, ejects a shell casing from an M40 sniper rifle during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:01 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, engages targets during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:00 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, fires an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:01 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -A Marine with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, engages targets during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:00 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, run to their firing positions during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:00 PM

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -Marines with Headquarters and Service Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, run to their firing positions during an unknown distance shooting competition, August 17. The Marines were competing against each other for a prize and bragging rights. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 8/16/2011 8:00 PM

Marine Air getting it done...

Marine Air.

As much as I slam the "fly guys" of the Corps, one thing is certain.  They're Marines...and they're getting the job done.

One of the untold stories of the conflicts that we're involved in that will only come out in Marine history journals is the work done with regards to the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) Missions that these Marines have performed.

I would be curious to know how many millions of dollars have been saved because these Marines were able to recover downed aircraft instead of destroying them in place.

Helo-borne assault.

Close air support.

Tactical resupply.

Medivac.

TRAP missions.

Special Ops work.

The list goes on.  I hammer the wing like a big brother hammers a little brother.  Its done with love, its probably unfair and its fun for the big brother and annoys the hell outta the little one.

Well  consider this post the "apology" to the wing.

You guys are doing good work. 

Stay safe and Semper Fi.