I wondered where the Assault Breacher Vehicles went! Assumed that they were all placed in storage or given to the Army but looks like at least a few are still around.
Friday, July 21, 2017
2nd Tanks @ Iron Wolf 17....pics by Cpl. Jonathan Sosner
I wondered where the Assault Breacher Vehicles went! Assumed that they were all placed in storage or given to the Army but looks like at least a few are still around.
Marine Air leadership went off the rails...I'm not the only one that noticed...
Thanks to Jeff for the link!
via War is Boring.
This clarity of Marine Aviation’s “primary mission” is gone today. It has been replaced with something else.Story is here, and its a must read.
If this situation weren’t troubling enough, in a six-page May 2017 Marine Corps Gazette article about Marine aviation, the deputy commandant for aviation emphasized not once, but twice, “The F-35B has proven that we have a war-winning capability in our hands” — without even once mentioning anything to do with supporting marines on the ground. Nowhere in the article can one even find the words “ground combat element,” “infantry,” “grunt,” “combat engineer,” “armor,” “artillery,” or “Marine on the ground.” Perhaps this ahistorical belief in a jet’s “war-winning” capability, combined with a loss of primary focus on the ground combat element, has led aviation leadership to wrongly overlook the Guardian Angel.
If this trend continues, one can’t help but wonder if future “Marine Aviators of the Year” will be awarded in honor of the airpower advocates such as Giulio Douhet, Billy Mitchell, and John Warden instead of Alfred Cunningham.
Given such foundation-shaking thinking coming from the top of Marine Aviation, perhaps it is no surprise that ground combat element marines don’t have the support they need, nor are they slated to anytime soon, despite the Marine Corps Operating Concept’s specific guidance to provide it. Regardless, this tragic reality must be addressed head-on. The reasons to do so are many, including, as Rep. Niki Tsongas recently highlighted when expressing her concerns about Marine Corps budgeting priorities, “the Marine Corps’ mission to be the premiere force-in-readiness and the historical reliance that the nation has placed on the Marine Corps’ role in ground combat.” This reliance today includes the Marine Corps providing almost one-third of the United States’ total active-duty ground combat capability.
I never heard of this writer, Steve Cuomo, but he's spot on. Marine Air Leadership went off the rails in their support of the F-35. Maybe it was the focus on accomplishing the mission of getting the plane in service, but in the end it really doesn't matter.
Marine Air Leadership is talking about doing everything EXCEPT providing support for Marines on the ground.
Even worse?
Marine Ground, especially in the Infantry Community is all about it. When you hear Infantry Battalion Commanders talking about "integrating with Marine Air" instead of what Marine Air can do to support their forces then you know you have an institution that has lost its way.
Happily I'm not the only one that's noticed this. Steve seems to think that the answer lies with UAVs.
He's wrong.
Davis before he left (and I'm working on a podcast that will take his parting letter to taks) talked about a V/TOL UAV that would again, do everything except provide support to Marines on the ground. Missions like radar picket for the fleet, escort for MV-22s and even air to air combat was discussed but Close Air Support?
If he mentioned it, it was in passing.
Unfortunately the answer will require a bit of spilled blood. Not in combat, but in budget terms. Marine Air needs to be handcuffed monetarily. Too much money is programmed currently and into the future for self discipline to be realized.
Stop feeding the beast and you can get him back in the cage.
Marine Air needs to be stuffed back in its cage. It's terrorized the Marine Corps landscape for too long.
Side note: WHY is everyone so freaking jazzed about fighting in Mega Cities? I cringe at the notion that when its tried I'll be saying I told ya so, but these writers, Think Tanks and Generals are pushing the idea hard. We will see body bags filled and Lost Battalions gobbled up in slums outside these cities just mark my words.
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Gunner Wade has accessorized his M4 to the max...
via Soldier Systems Daily.
The weapon he is currently using features a M4A1 SOPMOD RIS II URG, Trigger: Geissele. Bolt group: Fail Zero. Suppressor: Gemtech TREK-T. He also plans to employ an HK416 14.5" URG with a Geissele rail system. So far, the optics he is working with are the Trijicon VCOG 1-6×24 and a 1-8×28 AccuPower. However, he quickly realized that he had set up the optic mount bridging both the upper receiver and rail in order to get proper eye relief with the mount he had.Story here.
Wow. So dude is running a Geissele trigger, Fail Zero bolt group, is currently sporting a Daniel Defense RIS (will follow up with a test of the Geissele system) and of course the Gemtech. Awesome!
What do I love about all this?
All these upgrades can be performed by the individual Marine. Additionally just the trigger alone should improve accuracy and rate of fire for a standard M4.
The one thing he's not investigating but wish that he would is the collapsible buttstock. What's on the market worth consideration by the Marine Corps? I have my own favorite (Magpul ACS) but many swear that the only real "combat capable" (meaning that you can smash faces with it and not worry about it breaking) is the ACE M4 SOCOM.
Regardless, follow the link to SSD and make sure you follow Gunner Wade on his facebook page.
Side note: This is the most effective social media project I've seen produced by the military. I'm biased but this focus on warfighting that Wade is pushing contradicts what we see on other sites. He's keeping it simple and focused. That's why he's winning.
Have you been paying attention to the other scandal? The Trump unmasking investigation...
via Free Beacon.
Former United Nations Ambassador Samantha Power's involvement in the unmasking by former Obama administration officials of sensitive national security information is raising red flags over what insiders view was an attempt by the former administration to undermine President Donald Trump and key figures on his team, according to current and former U.S. officials familiar with the situation.Story here.
Power appears to be central to efforts by top Obama administration officials to identify individuals named in classified intelligence community reports related to Trump and his presidential transition team, according to multiple sources.
The names of Trump allies in the raw intelligence reports were leaked to the press in what many in Congress and the current administration claim is an attempt by Obama allies and former officials to damage the White House.
The House Intelligence Committee, which is spearheading the investigation into these efforts, has issued subpoenas for Power and other top Obama administration figures, including former national security adviser Susan Rice, as part of congressional efforts to determine the source of these leaks.
Power's role in this unmasking effort is believed to be particularly questionable given her position as the U.N. ambassador, a post that does not typically require such sensitive unmasking activities, according to former U.S. officials and other sources familiar with the matter.
"Unmasking is not a regular occurrence—absolutely not a weekly habit. It is rare, even at the National Security Council, and ought to be rarer still for a U.N. ambassador," according to one former senior U.S. official who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon.
Everyone was making excuses saying people were crazy for thinking that former Obama administration officials had the long knives out for Trump.
What were they smoking?
Where I went wrong is that I thought they kept it close to the inner circle. To think that Susan Powers was the primary is both interesting and troubling. The scheme probably extended all the way thru the administration to include many civil servants that remain in place.
The deep state is real.
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
Mark this under weird news. Cop captures himself on bodycam planting evidence.
via Gizmodo.
I am speechless.
No one can be this stupid. Why would a cop carry around baggies with crack inside?
I want the whole story on this one.
On Tuesday, Baltimore news outlets shared footage from a January drug bust where an officer appeared to record himself planting drugs he would later say belonged to a suspect. The video, posted by Baltimore Sun reporter Justin Fenton, is staggering:Story here.
I am speechless.
No one can be this stupid. Why would a cop carry around baggies with crack inside?
I want the whole story on this one.
Fitness Tips. What to take, what to avoid...
Sorting Out Fitness SupplementsPersonally I'm amazed. Gardenia Cambogia is the latest "hotness" and almost every female I know is drinking that stuff down like it's water. Can't wait to tell them that it's worthless! Same with green coffee extract.
There are many different fitness supplements on the market. There are also many claims about these supplements. Some of them are wonderful and can do wonders for your overall fitness, including boosting your efforts and making it easier for you to build muscle and get in shape. However, there are just as many supplements that are nothing but useless junk. In some cases, there are some that could even be harmful.
If you are considering taking supplements to boost your diet and exercise routine, then you need to get informed before ingesting anything. Taking supplements without doing research can be very bad. In most cases, the worst that will happen is you waste your hard-earned money, but there is also the chance you could harm your body.
Top Options
In general, the top options in supplements are going to be backed by science. They will be natural products that are pure and not mixed with unknown ingredients. They usually feature one main ingredient that is well-researched and proven to help the body in some way. They also are usually the most popular items you hear top weightlifters and athletes are using. However, not every supplement that fits these criteria will be genuine, so here are a few you can trust.
Protein powder, which is quite popular in the gym, is a perfectly fine supplement. It uses science-backed ideology. Protein is an essential build block in the body for strong and healthy muscles. In your daily diet, you may not be eating enough protein, so supplementing with a powder is a good way to go. Protein can assist with building and repairing muscles.
Creatine is another great option. It is touted as being the best choice. If you only take one supplement, then this is the one to choose. It is well-researched and has many proven benefits. It can aid with endurance, muscle repair, strength, and building. It is a natural product and produced in the body, but diet alone often doesn't allow for enough production, so you can supplement.
Beta-Alanine is an amino acid that is not created by the body. However, it does get created in the body through certain reactions. To boost the beta-alanine in your body, you can supplement. This has been shown to help with preventing muscle fatigue, which can enable you to workout stronger and longer.
Ones to Avoid
As pointed out by Supplement Critique, there are some supplements that are little more than junk. These are often touted in fake news articles as being the easiest and best way to build muscle and lose weight. They are often written about in a way that suggests top athletes use them, even though this is completely false. They are sold using tricky methods and deceptive fake news reports. Generally, when it comes to supplements, if it seems too good to be true, then it is. You will never be able to take a pill and magically become fit. It always takes work. Here's a look at three top culprits trying to trick you into believing they are amazing supplements.
Acai Berry has been seen online a lot. It has been stated that it is a miracle weight loss drug. However, there is no science to back this up. Furthermore, there is no proof. Millions of people took this supplement with no results.
Gardenia Cambogia is another supplement that was said to produce amazing results. Just as with the acai berry, it is worthless. There is no science behind it. It also doesn't work as proven by the many people who fell victim to the deceptive ads.
Green coffee extract seems like it is a good supplement. It comes from coffee beans and contains caffeine, which has been proven to help with weight management. However, it hasn't been shown to be effective, and any research into it was done by the people selling it.
When it comes to supplements, you should look at them as something to help, not a solution. Any supplement making outrageous claims is likely fake. You always have to work to get healthy and build muscles. It won't happen from taking a pill, which should be obvious. If that was really possible, then everyone would look great and obesity would be a thing of the past. So, choose your supplements carefully and watch out for the signs of a bad supplement.
Could all these people be operating under a placebo effect and just fooling themselves into believing that it works?
Regardless its good to know that protein and creatine does the job, 'cause they're staples in my supplement line up.
Blast and cruise guys, blast and cruise....turn up the volume on your workouts and then turn it down a bit but keep churning...that's how you keep from burning out as we chase the fitness thing!
Chinese Type 52 shows up off the coast of the UK!
via Defense Aerospace.
The Royal Navy scrambled a warship to shadow a Chinese flotilla as it steamed through the English Channel on route to meet Russian vessels for manoeuvres in the Baltic Sea.Story here.
The trio of Chinese warships passed through the Strait of Dover under the watch of the HMS Richmond, a Type 23 frigate, at the weekend.
They then headed across the North Sea, where they were spotted being escorted by Dutch vessels earlier this week ahead of manoeuvres with Vladimir Putin’s navy which begin on Friday.
Nothing to see here. Just the Chinese Navy morphing within the blink of an eye from being a brown water joke into a true blue water behemoth.
But ignore that. Continue with the Russia is coming insanity instead of focusing on the real threat.
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