Sunday Motivational. Fuck Motivation!

Italian Harrier comes aboard USS Iwo Jima....Pics by Cpl. Jonathan Sosner

Aviation Porn. Indian Air Force CH-47 and AH-64 look GREAT in grey!

pics via Scramble.

I'm about to utter internet military blogging blasphemy but do you know who suggested that the US Army go with the grey paint scheme first (at least the first I saw it online)?

Mike Sparks!

Now the Indian Air Force is rolling forward with it while the US Army abandoned it after a small experiment.

What does the Indian Air Force know that the US Army doesn't?

Ok, let's flip that a bit.  Why didn't the Army go this way?

Open Comment Post. July 28, 2018

Marine C-130 refuels CH-53 mid-flight during RIMPAC.... pic by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kory Alsberry

Combat Camera is in the air taking pics and giving us some great air to air shots!  I couldn't be happier!

Merkava 4 – the Barak, a “dual-use” tank for use in guerrilla warfare conditions as well as fulfilling the role of IDF future tank.

Thanks to Al Z for the link!

via I-hls.com

The Israeli Armored Corps has exposed the new model of the Merkava 4 – the Barak, a “dual-use” tank for use in guerrilla warfare conditions as well as fulfilling the role of IDF future tank. This new model reflects an understanding that the theatres of conflict are changing.

Brigadier General Guy Hasson, Head of the army’s Armored Corps, said the tank will be unique in “many aspects due to its advanced armor capabilities, as well as the smart AI-based computer that will collect data, fuse it and – together with other sensors – will create new targets on real time”.

According to walla.co.il, additional improvements in the new model include increased fire ranges’ as well as an independent training capability thanks to a 3D simulator inside the tank. “The sights have been dramatically improved, new combat systems were installed, as well as driver alerting systems to avoid obstacles on the way just as in advanced automotives. Improvements will enable independent driving, high survivability, as well as urban warfare capability, and changes in the way information is transmitted.

Almost sounds like the Carmel Tank has died doesn't it?  The article says that the tank will be operational in 3 years.  So why not simply wait and get the new hotness they were developing?

Pitch Black 2018 Participating Aircraft...the F-35 is no where to be found!

via Airforce.gov.au

Flying Participants

Country Assets

Australia

10 x F/A-18F
3 x E/A-18G
15 x F/A-18A
2 x C-130J
1 x C-17
1 x KA350
2 x C27J
1 x E-7A
2 x PC-9
1 x KC-30

Canada

1 x CC130TT

France

3 x RAFALE
1 x CN-235

India

4 x SU30MKI
1 x C130J

Indonesia

8 x F-16

Malaysia

5 x F/A-18D
1 x A400M

Singapore

6 x F-16
5 x F-15
1 x KC-135
1 x G550

Thailand

6 x GRIPEN

USAF

12 x F-16CM
2 x B-52

USMC

10 x F/A-18C/D         
2 x KC-130J
8 x MV22
6 x A/UH-1

Contractor Support

Air Affairs 7 x Learjet 35
Raytheon 1 x EWTS Learjet 35
Top Aces 3 x ALPHA Jets
 

I would have missed the fact that Pitch Black 2018 was soon to kick except for an e-mail from Kris (thanks bro!).  This is an interesting line up of aircraft and should make for an excellent training mission, assuming that it isn't too scripted!

Question.

This is a big time exercise in the Pacific.

Where is the F-35?  Why isn't the Air Force or Marine Corps trotting out there latest and greatest to play?

Scarface lends a hand during simulated search and rescue....Pics by Sgt. Aaron Patterson

This proves the effort to denuclearize N. Korea is already worth it...

I don't know why recovering the remains of our fallen is so important to me and others.  If you were to take the time to think about it logically it really isn't that big a deal...if you're thinking logically that is.

But it IS a big deal.

Like I said, I can't explain it but it is.

The effort to denuclearize N. Korea might fail horribly.  Trump's efforts might be for nothing.

But in my mind even if he fails he's still won.  First he got these guys home.  Repeating myself but that's a big deal.  Second at least he tried...and tried big.  He stepped out of the status quo, did something different and for now at least the North is responding.  Last is the fact that even if the talks fall thru the North and South are again talking.

The effort might fail but its already been a win on many levels.

Plus these boys are coming home.

Sidenote.  Notice that they're under the UN flag.  These are supposedly the remains of US soldiers but they could easily be found to be the remains of our allies that participated in this fight.  That means we could be a transit point for Aussie, Canadian, UK, S. Korean and other soldiers to finally make it home.  This is sad and awesome, almost joyful at the same time (don't get that twisted...on this one dig into the meaning before you send fire about my last sentence).

Critics and Fans of the F-35 are both missing something with the USAF announcement of the F-15X and the Israeli buy of new F-15s....

Critics and Fans of the F-35 are both missing something with the latest announcements.

The USAF approached Boeing two years ago to develop the F-15X.  We got word earlier this year and it proved to be true that the Israelis would buy new F-15s instead of additional F-35s.

I'd shout to the rooftops about the F-35 being replaced by the F-15 in aerial combat but something is telling me that we're missing a part of this story.

I don't know what it is but my spidey senses are tingling.

Unless they've actually committed fraud (not putting it past the MIC but many could be held liable if they did) then the numbers put out by the Pentagon, Lockheed Martin and the JSF Program Office don't support the buy of additional F-15's by the USAF.

Even upgrades are of questionable value if we're to believe the press releases.

The F-15's in question are single seaters.  No WSO in the back to help the fight.  The payload between the two planes damn near mirror each other (well the F-15 is cleared to carry a wider variety of ordnance) and the range is supposedly similar.

Cost is supposedly in the F-35's favor and if the goal is maintenance then the USAF necking down to the one fighter/attack plane will bring savings that should be formidable.  Call it another mythical feather in the F-35's camp.

So why the approach to Boeing about the F-15X?

My guess?

None.  This makes no sense across the board.  I can understand the Israeli buy of the CH-47 and V-22.  I can get the KC-767 (although I floated the idea of them doing it cheaper inhouse).

I don't get why the USAF and Israel are suddenly huge fans of the F-15.  Anyone have a theory?