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.