Friday, July 16, 2021

S. African Army deploys Armored Fighting Vehicles to deal with unrest

 

Boxer CRV Pics by PTE Jacob Hilton/LAC John Solomon via Gregory Knowles Twitter Page...

Open Comment Post. 16 July 2021

 

Talisman Sabre 21

 

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jonathon Lindgren, a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System section chief with 3d Battalion, 12th Marines, 3d Marine Division, surveys a firing point during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia, July 15, 2021. TS21 supports the U.S. National Defense Strategy by enhancing our ability to protect the homeland and provide combat-credible forces to address the full range of potential security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. Lindgren is a native of Katy, Texas.

Thursday, July 15, 2021

Wait! WHAT?? We asked Turkey to secure the Kabul Airport after our departure?

 


Wow!

I was surprised to hear this in the video.  The Taliban are gonna go after Turk troops once they secure an airport that we (the US!) asked them to?

Wow again!

One thing though.  Its gonna be interesting as hell to be supporting Turkey's mercenary force in their fight against the Taliban.  The fight in that country is as crazy as a chicken on crack.

Taiwanese "Clouded Leopard" Fighting Vehicles operate on roadways for realistic training (Pic Heavy)...

 

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A unit of “Clouded Leopard” armored vehicles have taken to Taiwan's roads instead of using trains, in order to make training more realistic, reports said Wednesday (July 14).

The 333rd Mechanized Infantry Brigade, based in Pingtung County, would have shipped its vehicles by train or truck in the past to avoid creating traffic problems or disputes with civilian road users, CNA reported.

However, due to increasing threats from China, the military thought it wiser to test in a more realistic situation. After technical checks, the Taiwan-made vehicles hit the road Wednesday morning to reach their destinations by a variety of routes.

Having tanks and armored vehicles move over streets and roads increases the familiarity of soldiers with possible war theaters and improves their ability to respond to real-life situations, the military said.

This election stuff just won't go away. New and alarming allegations out of Arizona...

I will never forget what happened just after Trump's election.

The chattering class went crazy and "the resistance" was born.  It even appeared (at least from my chair) that many that I once believed were centrist and did not take sides were suddenly taking sides (joining the resistance).

I knew that there would be blowback from that movement and the couple of years long tirade against Trump just primed the pump.

Now?

Now we're seeing the blowback.

Are these allegations true?  I have no idea.  Is it probably a bit of political payback?  

Most assuredly.

I just wonder if this stuff continues to escalate in our politics or if someone will say "enough" cause this thing is about to spiral out of control.

Seeing the recent budget reconciliation being pushed I don't think we're gonna see an adult say stop so buckle up for more craziness.

Russia's new single engine fighter spotted in the wild!

 

MAG-16 Max Readiness Flight

 

U.S. Marine Corps aircraft with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), prepare to take off at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California, July 14, 2021. In a dynamic display of combat power that featured over 40 aircraft in MAG-16’s mass flight, the aircraft showcased the tactical capabilities that 3rd MAW uses to remain lethal and deployable on a moment’s notice. 

It just occurred to me that these snap readiness exercises could be used to safely evacuate aircraft if their bases are targeted by enemy ballistic missiles. Could that be the real reason for these drills? I can't think of a different scenario where you would need to scramble this many aircraft at once.

Maybe a Ft Apache moment for a ground force but even that I would think would call for a different mix of aircraft.  Strikers not rotary/tilt wings.

A quick article covering the M50 Ontos...perhaps the most "Marine" direct fire vehicle ever built...

 

Here

Its a quick read with great pics (a few of them are here)...but what stood out to me was this quote...
One of the Marine officers leading the siege of the Citadel later identified the Ontos as “the most effective of all Marine supporting arms,” in the Battle of Hue.

Naval guns, Marine/Navy air, artillery, mortars...none of that was as effective in the Battle of Hue City as the M50 Ontos.

Direct fire support is currently out of style in the US Marine Corps.

Pity.

Not because its the end of tanks (which is a shame) but its a pity because when you have to re-learn lessons it usually comes with a heavy price.

Let's hope the US Army's Armor is around or else the New Marine Corps could face some very bad times.