Hey China. We feel your pain...

When China sent its soldiers to South Sudan for a peace keeping mission it looked like a USMC deployment.  They loaded up the buses at night, the gear was stacked on transports and unit pics were taken....not quite a celebration but more like a "ready to get it done attitude".

The flip side of that is always depressing.  via China Defense Blog.

UBA, July 11 (ChinaMil) -- Two UN peacekeepers from China, namely Li Lei and Yang Shupeng, were killed and five others were injured on July 10 when their armored vehicle was hit by a shell during a mission in Juba, capital of South Sudan, according to China's Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Monday.
The incident happened at 18:39, July 10, local time, when South Sudanese government and anti-government forces continued to exchange fire in Juba.
The armored vehicle of the Chinese peacekeeping infantry battalion was performing the guard tasks in a refugee camp at the headquarters of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), when it was suddenly attacked by a shell.
Two were severely injured and three suffered minor injuries during the attack, the Information Office of the MND said.
The Chinese military is deeply astonished and strongly condemns the attack, said the Information Office of the MND in a statement, expressing deep condolences to the victims and their families.
After the occurrence of the incident, the Chinese military immediately initiated an emergency-response mechanism, and the Chinese peacekeeping detachment to the country has done its best to save the wounded and further strengthened its safety and guard measures to ensure security.

Below are pics of the attack.

I think we're going to see a quick learning curve.  Those buildings will be hardened and they'll take other protective steps for their forces.

China is a competitor nation and most of the time I'd gloat when bad stuff happens.  Not on this one.  We feel your pain.  Welcome to the club Red Dragon.

A TOW Missile knocked down the Russian attack helicopter in Syria?

via Japan Times

Two Russian airmen killed in Syria on Friday were shot down with American weaponry, the Interfax news agency said Sunday, quoting a Russian military source.
It said insurgents from the Islamic State group hit the airmen’s Mi-25 assault helicopter with a U.S.-made TOW heavy anti-tank missile, a weapon that uses guidance from a ground station.
The high-tech system is in service with the U.S. military.
“According to information we have, the terrorists used an American TOW,” Interfax quoted the unnamed source as saying.
The Islamic State group on Saturday claimed responsibility.
Amaq, a news agency that disseminates the group’s propaganda, posted online video purporting to show the incident.
The video shows a flash of light at the helicopter’s tail, and the rear rotor unit appears to fall away. The helicopter then goes into a spin before crashing, to cries of “God is greatest” in audio accompanying the images.
As the aircraft goes down, a second helicopter passes by. It is of similar appearance to the stricken Mi-25.

A wire guided anti-tank missile is capable of knocking down a modern Russian attack helicopter?

Quite honestly I didn't think it possible.  Is this a case of tactics?  I know that the Army Apache drivers like the "hover then pop up and shoot" whereas Marine Corps Zulu jocks drive'em like they stole'em.  Its all gun and missiles runs in swooping attacks from various directions.

Has the engagement envelope for the TOW expanded and we missed it or is it a case of tactics making the Russians vulnerable.

The elite got a glimpse of the future and they're scared.

We've had a stunning week and a half.

1.  We saw a meeting between the Attorney General and the former President.  The optics were horrible.  The former President's wife WAS under investigation.

2.  An editorial appeared in a major paper (a day or two after the meeting) stating that the Attorney General could be retained in a Clinton administration if/when she wins office.

3. We saw the questioning of the Democrat Party Presidential Nominee by FBI Agents.  This testimony was not under oath, and happened over the weekend of a major US holiday.

4.  The FBI Director made a major press conference laying out why Hillary should be charged and then laid out reasons why she wouldn't (he did this poorly).

5.  We saw the video of police in Baton Rouge knock a man to the ground who supposedly had a gun.  Once he was on the ground they both mounted him and one pulled his pistol and shot him several times.

6.  We saw another video of police shooting a concealed carry holder in Minneapolis.  The vid went viral and the officer involved is shown freaking the fuck out.

7.  We saw widespread demonstrations that seemingly came out of nowhere.  A police buddy told me they were coming but before I saw it with my own eyes I didn't believe it.  I was wrong.  I stand by my contention that BLM is NOT a terrorist organization but is being used by the Democrat party to amp up the black vote ahead of the falls elections.  The organizing of protests in several different cities points to someone behind the scenes manipulating things.

8.  Then the horrific attack in Dallas.  Not much more can be said except that the Dallas PD got its ass handed to them by a person that was at BEST moderately skilled (and I'm being generous in that description).

My theory?

The elite from both parties got a chance to see a bit of our future and they're scared shit-less.  The thought that they would be able to manage tensions.  They were wrong.  I fully expect...how did Mech 61 say it?  Another Dylan Roof to go into a black church in retaliation?  Yeah I can see it.  I can also see that all those black preachers are no longer being listened to and the "turn the other cheek" thing has gone the way of the Dodo bird.

That doesn't even take into account EXTERNAL terrorist threats that we continue to face and what most economic experts believe will be a major recession late this year or early next.

Don't let me forget the Republicans in all this.  Drudge Report has stirred the flames as have people like James Yeager.  They have called BLM a terrorist group when all they're doing is carrying signs and protesting.  Additionally if you go to right wing websites (that are sounding more and more like Storm Front in the comments) then you actually hear people calling for a race war.

America is screwed and between poor race relations, economic turmoil, external terrorism and other factors that I don't have time to touch on something has got to give.

What you'll see is the President try and walk a fine line to dial back tensions.  You'll see the elite of both parties try and help in that effort.

They seriously miscalculated and now the bill is coming due. SHTF Plan Blog has a much better write up on this that's definitely worth a read.  Check it out here (make sure to read ALL the comments...it brings out hatred in me I didn't know I had).

The Dallas PD robot was good...the USMC's will be better. Photos by Lance Cpl. Julien Rodarte

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment tested new equipment such as the Multi Utility Tactical Transport in a simulated combat environment at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., July 8, 2016. The MUTT is designed as a force multiplier to enhance expeditionary power enabling Marines to cover larger areas and provide superior firepower with the lightest tactical footprint possible. The Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory is conducting a Marine Air-Ground Task Force Integrated Experiment in conjunction with Rim of the Pacific exercise to explore new gear and assess its capabilities for potential future use. The Warfighting Lab identifies possible challenges of the future, develops new warfighting concepts, and tests new ideas to help develop equipment that meets the challenges of the future operating environment.

Crazy...

 

http://modern-outfitters.tumblr.com/post/147194315656/wow-these-guys-know-how-to-party

 

Threats made via social media are now arrest worthy?

Things are getting interesting...or rather...more interesting..

Louisiana teen arrested for making threats against police on social media.  Why do I think this rises to the level of bullshit?  Because the guy was in his car sitting behind a police cruiser and made the statement about wanting to shoot and kill police.  He then posted the vid and did nothing.  Later police put out a warrant for his arrest.

Did he do anything?  Nope.  We see a leader in Black Lives Matter movement arrested in Baton Rouge.

I find this stunning.

Remember the Bundy Ranch Incident?  Nothing happened to those "freedom fighters"....yet people are calling Black Lives Matters terrorists?  Fucking seriously?

Perhaps the way to avoid violent standoffs between police and protesters is to show up armed to the gills and declare yourself freedom fighters.

I mean it worked at Bundy Ranch and the Federal Govt backed off and the local sheriff supported them.  I mean it had to be a gun thing since we're all treated the same right?

Certainly pointing weapons at Federal Agents is a bigger crime then making threats to social media right?

Could we be on the verge of "School of Infantry" Devil Pup talk being reality?

Everyone that's been to the School of Infantry has had those bullshitting sessions where guys are sitting around, loving the new skills they're picking up, reveling in their physical prowess and scheming about get rich/famous etc...

The common memes revolve around getting together and knocking over drug dealers using military tactics to totally overwhelm them...steal their money and burn their drugs and hang them up by their feet so that the police can cut them down later.

Other talk (the wilder talk) goes to knock over a bank and getting involved in an LA style shootout with police.

Today we have to add ideological considerations to the mix.

The issue is the same though.  Much was made of the Federal Govt being worried about disgruntled veterans.  After what we saw in Dallas and what we all remember about those goofy conversations so long ago...and knowing how divided the country is today, can we really blame them?

A group of 8 to 12 veterans that had their stuff wired tight would be a force to be reckoned with.  We are living in interesting times.  Could we be on the verge of School of Infantry Devil Pup talk becoming reality?

The real reason why Daisy Cutters and Napalm were used in the Vietnam War...

historicaltimes
A United States soldier holds up a jungle centipede during the Vietnam war,1967

If I saw that and was President of the United States I would have allowed the use of nuclear weapons as a means of protecting the force.  Better radiation than a bite from a critter that damn big!

ISIS shoots down Russian helicopter

Thanks to William for the link!

*ISLAMIC STATE DOWNED SYRIAN MI-25 HELICOPTER, INTERFAX SAYS
2016-07-09 17:35:38.446 GMT

*RUSSIAN PILOTS KILLED AS ISIS SHOOTS DOWN HELICOPTER: INTERFAX2016-07-09 17:35:00.97 GMT

More to come.

Dallas Shooter used a surplus weapon

Thanks to Eric H for the link!

via CBS

A law enforcement source told CBS News that Johnson had a SKS semi-automatic assault rifle and a handgun, Milton reports. The suspect also wore body armor, the source said.
On Friday, police officers went to Johnson's home in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, Texas and removed items. They later said that they found bomb-making materials and a journal of combat tactics in the home.

Hmm.  An SKS?  From the amount of firepower that is being talked about I'm assuming that he had the same weapon I do...an SKS-D.  Just from the bullet size alone it would punch thru body armor, slice through car doors like butter and even penetrate engine blocks.

If he's like me and has a spam can of steel core ammo setback then it gets even more intriguing.  There is much debate about it.  The ATF ruled that ammo armor piercing but modern 7.62 supposedly performs much better when it comes to penetration.  Where steel core shines is in its accuracy.

I guess this is the best part of the story.  The guy didn't use an AR-15 for this heinous act.  He used a simple SKS.  I wonder if this will have any bearing on the upcoming gun control debate?

It does make you wonder though.  The guy held off a SWAT team with an SKS?  He apparently pulled this plan out of his ass on the fly?  When the grieving is over and people start doing "no shit" after actions on this incident, the DPD's reaction will be a case study in what NOT to do when reacting to a rampaging shooter.

S. Korean K808/K806 Wheeled Armoured Vehicles Testing

Quick overview of the Dallas Shooters actions...

Note:  If you don't want to look at police actions during a high profile incident...if you want to christen everyone involved as heroes...if you simply want to lavish praise on the police then you might want to go elsewhere.  I'm going to do an open, unbiased look at the response of the police to this incident and see what they did right, where they fucked up and what they can improve on.  If that causes you personal pain and discomfort then I really don't give a fuck.  You can bet your ass that police depts around the country are doing it as we speak.  If it doesn't cause you pause when you realize that one guy that doesn't seem to be highly trained can create the chaos that he did then you need to do a personal reassessment.


I am horrified by the actions and motivation of the Dallas Shooter.  I am also impressed by his skillset.  Lets do a quick overview of his actions, the police response and the final outcome...then lets think about what this tells us about our security forces and their ability to handle complex terrorist attacks by teams as we saw in Paris or more ominously Mumbai.

Overview

1.  One man was able to ambush Dallas PD in such a way that they thought they were engaging a team of snipers.

2.  One man was able to maneuver in such a way as to (according to reports) start his assault from an elevated position, go down to ground level, go head on with a police officer and effectively neutralize him.

3.  One man was able to sow so much confusion that he caused police to pursue people that were not engaged in the criminal activity down the high way.  In essence his actions were so disruptive that he caused police to expend precious resources chasing their own tails.

4.  He engaged in a prolonged shootout with Dallas SWAT.  Even though cornered he was able to put down enough firepower to keep them at bay.

5.  In the end police were required to use a robot to place an explosive close to him because he was so determined...he was deemed to dangerous to send men in after him.

This was one guy.

What we don't know and may never know is how skilled he was.  Did he practice?  Was this all Army training?  What was his conditioning like?  We originally thought this was a team, and later found out it was one guy that pulled a plan out of his ass...what if he had more time?

Can we handle a Mumbai or Paris?

From my chair no.  What have we seen?  This incident along with the Dorner case is a wake up call.  We've seen lone gunmen paralyze cities.  If faced with a team of terrorists whether homegrown or foreign we can expect the casualty count to skyrocket.  Additionally we didn't see hostage taking in the cases noted....if the Dallas Shooter had chosen to take hostages then the body count would have been higher.

Why no talk of Tampa?

Tampa was horrific but a "confined" incident.  Quite honestly while a tragedy, it was easily managed.  I don't consider that incident instructive.  Think about this.  If the Tampa Shooter had gone in, killed, escaped thru the back door and continued his rampage then you would have seen carnage.  The incident was simplistic and easily managed.

The Bad News?

Whether we like it or not, Police have to up their game.  Training.  Physical conditioning.  Weapons handling.  Up gunning.  The freaking works.  The idea of being Officer Friendly while dealing with the threats of this modern age is wild.  How they'll get it done without causing even more drama between the citizens and the force is beyond me.  My first thought is that the city leadership is going to have to change the paradigm.  In my opinion using police as a revenue generating arm has failed badly and caused many of the issues we're seeing.

The Future?

I said it in a previous post and I'll say it again.  Police forces are about to become even more militarized AND they're going to become more professionalized.  I'm not talking about higher educational requirements.  I'm talking about more specialized training, constant testing to ensure that standards are met throughout careers.  The days of the fatbody cop are over.  The vision of people that can't walk around the corner without passing out are done.  Think about it like this.  If SWAT Officers are the "elite" of the force then I believe that will be the new baseline in training.

Summation?

We're not ready.  If we get hit by a Paris style attack in say Milwaukee in August then all bets are off.  God save us if we face a Mumbai attack anywhere except New York or DC.