Sunday, October 23, 2011

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

The cartoon is funny...the commentary is spot on.

Terminal Lance's latest cartoon is too funny but his commentary is even better...check this out...
But now his commentary!

There’s an unmistakable feeling of absolute horror that bestows upon one that forgets where his rifle is. Sometimes it’s just for a split second, that moment where you realize you don’t have it on you, but remember it was left with the gear watch. Sometimes–and may the gods have mercy on you if you do–you’ve truly forgotten where it is. The latter doesn’t usually happen, but it can and does to some less fortunate and forgetful Marines.
If you’ve never deployed or never really been to the field, this strip probably won’t mean much to you. Then again, I would think the majority of Terminal Lance wouldn’t mean much to you if you were such. However, anyone who’s ever been responsible for the well-being of that hunk of metal strapped to you at all times can probably relate to this. The feeling is heart-stopping, terrifying and momentarily immobilizing. The rifle becomes like a small child–a cold, uncomfortable and with sharp-edges small child that you have to carry with you at all times.
For those of you that have never looked after a rifle: imagine you go to the grocery store with your toddler. You shop and check out, the child running around you at all times. You get to your car, load the groceries into the trunk, and it dawns on you: your child is not with you. Yeah, you just shit your pants. That’s the feeling you get when you forget your rifle.
Anyway, in other news, slightly late update today. I was way too tired last night to sit down and do this thing, so it had to wait til this morning. I heard Marines are going sleeves down now year-round, which is unfortunate for Marines in Hawaii or Japan, since green cammies have black on them and those places are hot and humid.
Marine Corps-wide cammie regs are just plain stupid. Different bases are in different climates, and that can not change.
Brilliant!

I luv that guys work.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

The biggest threat to the USAF is losing the nuclear triad.

Check out this story from Time...
Kehler acknowledged that if the number of deployed U.S. and Russian strategic nuclear weapons and their launchers -- now capped at 1,550 and 700, respectively -- continues to drop, it will becoming increasingly costly to keep all three legs. "You can have a hollow nuclear force, just like you can have a hollow conventional force," he said. "There will be some very tough decisions to make here at certain levels, and whether or not you can then sustain a leg of the triad without it becoming hollow."
If the nuclear triad goes away then you can bet money that it won't be subs...and probably will be bombers (although you can't rule out the possibility of both bombers AND land based missiles getting axed).

This is the biggest threat to the USAF that no one is talking about.

If the USAF loses its nuclear mission then it can justifiably be downsized...Air Combat Command would take over what few bombers remained and every person associated with the nuke mission could be lost.

This is an issue thats being lost in the ether that I will be watching.

Co. F, AT Bn. takes to the skies during helo training

SIDENOTE; WE HAVE EFFECTIVE CAMO FROM HEAD TO TOE FOR OUR MARINES...WHY DO WE STILL HAVE BLACK RIFLES WHEN IT IS BEYOND EASY TO HAVE THEM CAMO'ED TOO? THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT THE GUNNERS SHOULD BE LOOKING AT INSTEAD OF GIVING US A BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE 2.O.


MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -A Marine with Company F, Anti-Terrorism Battalion attached to 2nd Marine Division, post security alongside a CH-53E Super Stallion while conducting a casualty evacuation drill aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 20. Over the course of the training each platoon performed two casualty evacuation drills in which a junior Marine was responsible for calling in a nine-line medical evacuation request. , Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Hines, 10/20/2011 1:01 AM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -Lance Cpl. Erik Guinn, rifleman, 2nd squad, 3rd platoon, Company F, Anti-Terrorism Battalion attached to 2nd Marine Division, carries a stretcher while conducting a casualty evacuation drill aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 20. Over the course of the training each platoon performed two casualty evacuation drills in which a junior Marine was responsible for calling in a nine-line medical evacuation request. , Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Hines, 10/19/2011 11:59 PM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -Marines with Company F, Anti-Terrorism Battalion attached to 2nd Marine Division, post security in the tree line while awaiting an inbound CH-53E Super Stallion while conducting a casualty evacuation drill aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 20. Over the course of the training each platoon performed two casualty evacuation drills in which a junior Marine was responsible for calling in a nine-line medical evacuation request. , Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Hines, 10/20/2011 12:03 AM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -Lance Cpl. Alexander Gibson, rifleman, 1st squad, 4th platoon, Company F, Anti-Terrorism Battalion attached to 2nd Marine Division, post security in the tree line while awaiting an inbound CH-53E Super Stallion while conducting a casualty evacuation drill aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 20. Over the course of the training each platoon performed two casualty evacuation drills in which a junior Marine was responsible for calling in a nine-line medical evacuation request. , Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Hines, 10/20/2011 12:29 AM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJUENE N.C. -Marines with Company F, Anti-Terrorism Battalion attached to 2nd Marine Division, carry a stretcher while conducting a casualty evacuation drill aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., Oct. 20. Over the course of the training each platoon performed two casualty evacuation drills in which a junior Marine was responsible for calling in a nine-line medical evacuation request. , Lance Cpl. Joshua J. Hines, 10/20/2011 12:29 AM

BAE Hawk AJT.

Sleeves down year round???

Jonfrazier I owe you an apology.  I really thought you were smoking crack when you mentioned this.  My bad ...you were spot on...

When my I first heard this I thought you've got to be shitting me.  That's so US Army that the Marine Corps wouldn't dare do it.

Well it looks like some dumb ass at HQMC wants us to be a second Army because that's whats happening.

Tradition.

Dead.

Uniqueness.

Dying.

Watch this pile of bullshit from Marine TV and cry for the Marine Corps.  Instead of everyone trying to copy us, we're now copying them.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Commandant steps in to muzzle bracelet Nazi's.

The Commandant of the Marine Corps had to step in to muzzle some bracelet Nazi's.  The issue.  Crazy as it might be is that some Marines were wearing bracelets to commemorate those that have been killed in action.  Here's the press release.

CMC Approves Wearing of Memorial Bracelets 





The Commandant of the Marine Corps, Marine Gen. James F. Amos, has approved the wearing of memorial bracelets effective immediately. Memorial bracelets memorializing prisoners of war, missing in action, killed in action, and those who died of wounds or injuries sustained in a combat theater are authorized. Last week, the Commandant of the Marine Corps met with his senior leaders at a Marine Corps General Officer Symposium, a group of general officers who make recommendations to the Commandant. The issue of the bracelets was discussed and the decision was made to allow their wear. "We are acknowledging the close personal nature of our ten years at war and the strong bonds of fidelity that Marines have for one another, especially for those fellow Marines who we have lost," said Amos. Further guidance that details standardization and uniformity will be distributed across the Marine Corps through official correspondence by the end of the week.
I find it amazing that some in authority would even begin to question something like this.

At least the Commandant muzzled them...for now at least.

Monday, October 17, 2011

General Gardner strikes back!

Much has been made of Air Sea Battle.

Much has been made about the consternation that the US Army feels about being left out.  Whats been ignored is the fact that once we're out of these conflicts, the American people will have no stomach or will for extended combat missions in far off lands.

The operative word is extended.  Add to the situation, the economics of the day and you have frugality and doing more with less winning the day.

According to an article by General Gardner in Defense News, the US can do more with less via Amphibs, the F-35B and the US Marine Corps.  Read the article for yourself here, but a tidbit for you to consider....
The aging Harrier used in Libya and recently in Yemen is being replaced by the F-35B STOVL Joint Strike Fighter, a world-class aircraft in terms of stealth, sensors and range. When you only have room for a few aircraft (amphibious assault ships will carry six to 20), those aircraft need to be multifunctional and effective.
Whether operating from ships or damaged runways, the F-35B fills that bill. No surprise: A fifth-generation stealth aircraft that can take off from a ship without catapults and return to land vertically costs more than today's carrier aircraft that cannot fly off an amphibious ship (an F-35B will cost about $118 million per aircraft, compared with $90 million for an F18E/F).
For this premium, the U.S. will nearly double its strike-capable capital ships (there are nine amphibious assault ships, with plans to go to 11), making the fleet more effective in more places for less money long into the 21st century.

We're in a depression. No one is saying it but its true.

Loren Thompson took time off from the usual discussions of defense issues to post this startling fact....
The Global Works Foundation reported a startling statistic last week. Between 2007 and 2011, the equity that U.S. families had in their homes declined from $12.9 trillion to $6.2 trillion. In other words, 52 percent of all home equity in the U.S. disappeared over the last four years.
That's freaking insane.

A drop of over 50% in home value in four years? 

Even counting inflated home prices that cutting into the muscle.  The funny thing about this financial crisis is that no has called it what it is. 

Its globalization unwinding.

The bailouts are governments worldwide attempting to keep a flawed system in place.

Until economist stop lying about our current economic situation.

Until our legislative and executive branch man's up and deals with the situation.

Then you can bet that this 'occupy wall street' is going to be a tempest in a teapot. 

Dawn Blitz 2011 - AAV Landing



Major hat tip to AVTEKProductions--very well done.