Wednesday, February 07, 2018
YPG Facebook Page.
Sputnik is running a story on how the Turks got pushed out of a small town near Afrin with the YPG claiming numerous Turk casualties, the capture of two terrorists and the destruction of two IFVs (here).
That led me to two things.
The first is that Nazism is rampant throughout the Middle East. I've always known that it is but never considered it as a possible factor in the ongoing violence in the region.
We look and marvel at the tribalism and sectarian/religious violence but ignore that factor unless they're fighting Israel.
The second is the YPG Facebook Page (here). The idea that we have these quasi groups (in some cases terrorists) that have formed, function as almost nation state armies and give them a platform on social media sites is amazing.
I don't know the answer.
It is ironic though that individuals are subject to draconian rules when it comes to posting material and can get shutdown in the blink of an eye but these type groups operate with impunity.
I don't understand modern business practices. What is and isn't allowed is just beyond me these days.
ST Kinetics Next Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle to reach SIngapore Army next year!
via Shepard Media
ST Kinetics will begin production of its Next Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV) ‘soon’, the company said, as the tracked vehicle made its first appearance at the Singapore Airshow.Story here.
The first AFVs for the Singapore Army will be delivered next year, and Singapore will also field variants such as an armoured recovery vehicle and bridge-layer. However, the Ministry of Defence has not disclosed the number of vehicles ordered.
Just plain wow.
Do you see what is happening?
Singapore. Tiny Singapore has developed from scratch a new IFV and will get it into service in a shorter timeframe than the US Army and Marine Corps are able to do with (in some cases) off the shelf items!
We are getting swamped by our bureaucracy! We have already lost a step. America just can't go fast anymore.
The only answer is to shed weight. We've got to get leaner and quicker. No more dept for this or that. No more commissions to study this issue or the next.
We must become do-ers again. Not planners or committee members. Not paper pushers but DO-ERS!
Don't be fooled. The military parade isn't about Trump, it's about recruiting being terrible!
via NPR
President Trump, apparently inspired by the Bastille Day parade he witnessed last summer during a trip to Paris, has ordered the Pentagon to look into staging something similar — but naturally bigger and better — for Washington, D.C., the White House confirmed Tuesday.Story here.
A U.S. official has confirmed the request to NPR. On Tuesday evening, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders shared in a statement that "President Trump is incredibly supportive of America's great service members who risk their lives every day to keep our country safe." She added, "He has asked the Department of Defense to explore a celebration at which all Americans can show their appreciation."
Don't be fooled. The story about Trump wanting a military parade isn't about Trump's desires, its about military leadership about to go batshit crazy because recruiting is down...in the hurt locker...about to take a massive shit all over the career force.
That's really just part of the story.
The other part is the career force. Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen are punching out like the plane is on fire and even though they're over a volcano they're not gonna ride this bad boy in.
We'll touch on the career force later. Right now we need to focus on the bubbas that went on the recruiting trail thinking they'd get every night at home with the wife and kids while on a smooth trajectory toward promotion.
Bullshit!
I've talked to a couple of the bubbas and they're telling tales of agony and woe. I'm talking about guys who are telling me that they want back to the fleet so bad it hurts. I've been told by more than one person that for all the bullshit they have to deal with in the fleet it's ten times worse on the trail.
So yeah.
If Trump pushed the idea of a military parade and military leadership thought it a bad idea they would have squashed it in a heartbreak.
They didn't.
They're pushing for a 4th of July display in Washington DC with all branches highlighted.
So again. This isn't about Trump. This is about a new attempt to boost recruiting numbers that are down for all the services.
Why is that? I have my theories. What are yours?
Marine Corps Pre-Positioning Norway caves in the Trondelag region of northern Norway...I keep forgetting about reinforcement mission in Europe.
 |
| Marine LAV-25s stored inside of one of the Marine Corps Pre-Positioning Norway caves in the Trondelag region of northern Norway, Friday, Feb. 2, 2018. The giant caves in these fjordside mountains pack enough firepower for 4,600 U.S. Marines and are built to withstand the first few days of a hypothetical World War III. |
I'm not debating the right and wrong of the policy.
I am saying that I forgot we have always had a mission of reinforcing the flank of NATO in Northern Europe.
That 4600 Marines they're talking about is a Marine Expeditionary Brigade that was planned to fight Soviet Paratroops, Marines and Spetsnaz that would be blitzing thru the fjords seeking to wreak havoc on their way to a two pronged attack on the primary objective. Central Europe in general and destroying Germany in particular.
That flank had to be held and the Marines were given that task.
Just a bit more Marine Corps history that I've got to get a better grip on and one that I wish was talked about more. There wasn't any combat in Europe (thank God no WWIII scenario) but the planning, table tops and estimates for how it would play out must be beyond fascinating.
That's some material that I wish was declassified so we could all get a look-see.
Western Feminists meet the reality of Islam?
Thanks to Лейба for the link!
Men in frocks run off the stage as #Femen activists run 'shock & awe' at Mullah festival. Later dozens of Jihadi goons attack the two women pic.twitter.com/OqJTHhOMaq— Tarek Fatah (@TarekFatah) February 6, 2018
I'm a bit twisted on this one.
Quite honestly I don't know if I'm playing shining knight or if these females deserve the thumping they got.
What I do know is they definitely picked the wrong target and I hope they made it out with just bumps, bruises etc...
What I have to wonder is if this is the future? Will we see more instances of "confrontations" between western society and the Islamic faith?
How will that play out?
In my mind you will ultimately see violence but am I being unnecessarily alarmist or is the concern valid?
I just don't know.
L-CAT shore-to-shore...Guys this was news LITERALLY two years ago!
Stick and move guys. Stick and move. Hit. Reorient. Hit again from a different direction.
Once that target is dealt with then you move on to the next. You don't circle back to deal with something that's already been settled unless it does a "zombie" and pops back up on your radar screen.
But if it's been dealt with you let that sleeping dog sleep.
Which brings me to the L-CAT shore to shore.
For some reason this old news has been recycled. It's all over my open comment post and many are acting like this is fresh news.
It ain't.
https://www.defensenews.com/naval/2016/10/20/new-l-cat-amphibious-craft-being-offered/
https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/content/l-cat-landing-catamaran-new-shore-shore-version
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)