The unmitigated gall of the Joint Chiefs!

Breaking Defense printed a story that they titled "Four Service Chiefs Say They Can't Defend The US Under Sequestration".

Ok.  We've heard those claims for more than a year now.  We've heard the warnings and gnashing of teeth about the freeze in defense spending.

So since this is all well known then what has me punching walls?  Check out this portion!

The ultimate cost, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley told the committee, will be that conflicts will last longer. That means, he said, “the butchers bill is paid with American lives.” Milley noted that Army weapons systems’ readiness already is “well below 90 percent, and that is great cause for concern.”

So the guys that have us involved in wars in the Middle East that have lasted more than 15 years, the people that tell us that it will take a decade to destroy an organization with 30K troops operating in the open desert now say that wars will last longer unless sequestration is lifted?

Forgive me if I think these bastards are lying their asses off.  If they can't get it done within the current budget then they should retire so we can get people who can.  The gall of these people.  Watch polls.  The military is about to lose its vaunted standing with the American people as a trusted institution.

Polish Anti-Terror Drill.

Thanks to Mateusz for the link!

Open Comment Post. Sept 16, 2016.

Indonesian Army New Leopard 2RI Live Fire! Pic via Yudi Yuviama Facebook Page.

Thanks to Dwi for the pic!

Say what you will but that armor package they applied looks massive!  Any idea what it is and the maker?  One curious thing though.  It seems incomplete.  Why would they leave the engine compartment relatively "unprotected" with additional armor?  Even slat armor would be a simple, inexpensive improvement.  Also the turret seems half done.

Yeah.  I'd like to know who's armor package they're using and the Indonesian Army's thinking on this.

AMX-10RC in action in Mali! via Tom Antonov Twitter Page.

This is a pretty darn big recce rig!

I have never understood the extra armoring between the 1st and 2nd wheels.  What is the purpose and what specific vulnerability is this attempting to protect?  Additionally why doesn't the first vehicle have it?

Colin Powell goes grumpy old man!

This is awesome.  Powell is in private at least still that old crusty ass colonel! I could imagine the guy saying many things but never this.

I don't know why but this kinda thrills me.  Maybe if we had elder statesmen stating in public what they do in private we would be in better shape.

Israel getting the F-15's it always wanted!

Thanks to William for the link!

via Flight Global

In a surprise move, Rice added to the F-15E to the mix of weapon systems on the agenda for the 10-year aid package, perhaps reducing funds available to purchase Israel’s planned complement of 75 F-35I Adirs.
“This additional funding will allow Israel to update the lion’s share of its fighter aircraft fleet, including the acquisition of additional F-35s and F-15s,” she says.
Boeing referred questions about the agreement to the US and Israeli air forces, who were not immediately available for comment.

The reality is there for all to see.  The Israelis are buying the F-35 but they're hardly sold on it.

I mean seriously!  If the F-35 was so darn capable and affordable then why buy the F-15?

The truth is obvious if you're willing to accept it.

RAF Odiham's CH-47s on display (pic heavy)

Open Comment Post. Sept 15, 2016.

Combat: "Kill Or Be Killed" 1943 War Department

Campy but cool. A serious mix of propaganda, over the top patriotism and training.

I wonder.  We know what the societal norms (and disgraces) were of this time period.  How are today's societal norms going to affect the force going into the future. Society is getting softer and softer.  We're choosing to make our military softer and softer.  Are we approaching a point where we MUST rely on technological superiority because we reach a point where man for man the enemy Marine or Soldier is superior?

BAE's M-8 Expeditionary Light Tank @ Ft Benning Expo

Atom 8X8 Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle Simulation

Ignoring the fact that Renault Defense is involved in this project, is it just me or does this vehicle have the look of being a VBCI clone?  Form follows function!  But still....this rig definitely shares the bloodline.