Three Merlin from 845 Naval Air Squadron @ Exercise Clockwork in Norway...

The BREXIT crisis has totally focused the mind of the British military.  Their ops tempo (at least from my chair) has increased dramatically.  More important to the NATO Alliance is the fact that they're fully embracing operations in Northern Europe.

That's a great thing.

Looking into a short term future I can see them highlighting superb light infantry along with a robust motorized Strike Brigade Concept, mixed with an impressive (for their size) aviation force (their Joint Helo Force seems like a unique but ideal solution).

I don't know what the future holds for them with regard to their economic/trade future but militarily they will be able to hold the line ASSUMING they're not faced with another round of budget cuts.  That's a huge IF, because the forecast is gloomy if they're faced with a hard breakaway.

Loyal Wingman Drone for Australia...

Tyler has the story over at The Drive....

Breaking! Heavy fighting between Indian and Pakistani forces reported!

BREAKING: Unconfirmed reports of extremely heavy clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops on the border near Sialkot in Pakistan.

— Conflict News (@Conflicts) February 26, 2019

Jaguar MAX

Did India just launch air and ground strikes into Pakistan occupied territory?

Just for reference, I believe the last time the Indian Air Force intentionally and publicly crossed the LoC to conduct strikes was... the 1971 war. https://t.co/DNUFUyOGxi

— Vipin Narang (@NarangVipin) February 26, 2019

I don't know what's going on here.  Twitter is ablaze with the idea that India has struck Pakistan and that both sides are gearing up.

Following the various threads is a bit frustrating because they're so frantic, hoping from this incident to the past and back again.

I guess we wait to see what's really going on.

Iranian foreign minister Zarif abruptly tenders resignation ... on Instagram

Iranian foreign minister Zarif abruptly tenders resignation ... on Instagram.

He has been under constant pressure and criticism by hardliners who opposed his policy of detente with the Westhttps://t.co/LBIwGTWugQ pic.twitter.com/1eDer4WvwL

— AFP news agency (@AFP) February 26, 2019

Wow.

The moderates have lost in Iran.

The hardliners in Israel, Saudi Arabia, the rest of the GCC and the US are ascendant.

War is coming.

F-35 fighter jet declares emergency on routine flight...does ANYONE have info on this incident???

via GB Times.

An F-35 Lightning fighter jet based at RAF Marham in Norfolk declared an emergency while on a routine flight near its base.

It landed safely after experiencing a “minor technical issue” on Thursday.

An RAF spokesman said on Friday: “The RAF can confirm an F35 Lightning experienced a minor technical issue during a routine flight last night.

“The aircraft landed safely.”

An emergency squawk is used to identify an aircraft with a possible issue and enables it to have priority over other air traffic.

It does not necessarily mean the aircraft has an emergency, but flight safety is paramount and if there is any doubt pilots will recover to a suitable base or airfield as soon as possible.

The first of the multimillion-pound F-35s arrived at RAF Marham in June 2018 and Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has pledged the UK will buy 138 in total.

Story here. 

This was reported on the 15th and I've been sitting on it because I've been waiting for one of the "big" defense mags/reporters to get more info on this and tell us about it.

Instead its been almost a news blackout.

Nothing from the Brit papers, mags, TV news.  Nothing from the big defense mags, papers etc...in the rest of Europe or the US.

Absolutely nothing.

But you guys are connected and have great Google skills.  Does anyone know what gives here?

Aviation Porn...AH-1Zs going out to play (Side Note. Is it time to give them anti-ship missiles?)...

Don't care what you think.  I'm right on this.  The AH-1Z is the best naval attack helicopter on the planet.  Full stop.

With that being said and the USMC wanting to participate in the naval battle from land and sea, even going so far as wanting a land launched anti-ship missile or to develop ways to use both cannon and rocket artillery to attack ships...is it time to give the AH-1Z anti-ship missiles?

I was thinking maybe Harpoons but I don't know if they could carry them.  As far as targeting I would think some other system could handle that task but they could at least get into position to launch them.

Why?  Well we don't practice it but you have to think about preventing landings by enemy forces that might arrive by sea.  The ability to put a dent in a Chinese (or other threat force) LPD type ship might prove useful if the Navy is busy doing other things (like fighting the big fight for control of the sea...ya know, doing Navy shit!).

Just a thought.

Blast from the past. Fake air battle over Los Angeles 1942?

pics via Trufault Twitter Page...

One of a couple of captions that he posted along with these pics...

From an alleged enemy attack, there was the reaction of US anti-aircraft defenses on 24 and 25 February 1942.The incident occurred less than three months after the United States entered the Second World War...

Just wow.  Wasn't aware of this incident.  Not surprising.  My focus was on our forces overseas, not the homefront.

Perhaps that's where future historians will focus.  The actual fighting has been covered ad nauseum.  The homefront in all countries involved not so much.

Regardless this deserves more reading on my part.

High Ranking Swedish Naval Officer resigns after being linked to a secret spy network...

via verkkouutiset.fi

The Swedish security police, Säpo, are told to investigate a special case involving dozens of suspects around the country.

There is hardly any publicity about the details of the case. According to the Swedish media, the authorities have investigated a "secret network" that is believed to have "threatened national security". The suspects have been questioned at least in Stockholm, Malmö, Gothenburg, Örebro and Alingsås.

Prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist  has only stated that criminal offenses related to the network are not related to terrorism.

According to Aftonbladet , several people have been arrested and the case has been reported to the Social Democrats Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist . Among the suspects there are both military personnel and civilians.

The investigation of the matter has already begun in 2017. It has already led to the withdrawal of one high-ranking officer from the Swedish Navy in February. Defense Minister Hultqvist has refused to comment on the details of the case in public.

Story here. 

Ok, who has been following this story?  If you have more info then tell the tribe.  This looks kinda bad.  Would love to know more details.

I know a least a few of you guys live in the region so tell me what's what.