Six Soldiers Killed at Saudi Base by Yemeni Missile Attack! Oh you thought that fight was over?

via Press TV.

Yemeni army soldiers, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, have conducted a fresh missile attack against a military base in Saudi Arabia’s southern Najran region, killing six Saudi soldiers.

The Arabic-language al-Masirah television network reported on Thursday that the missile hit the al-Shabakah base.

Yemeni forces carried out a similar attack on the al-Farizah military base in Saudi Arabia’s southwestern Jizan region, which set the post on fire, the report added.

The Yemeni forces have recently stepped up their retaliatory assaults against Riyadh’s deadly war on the impoverished country.

Separately on Thursday, a Yemeni military source reported intense clashes between militants loyal to former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, and Houthi Ansarullah fighters in the Sirwah district of the central Ma'rib Province.

Six pro-Hadi militants and 14 Houthi fighters lost their lives in the clashes over the past 24 hours, the source added.

Yemen's Khabar news agency said a high-ranking pro-Hadi commander was among the casualties of the Ma'rib scuffles.

Other reports said dozens of Saudi mercenaries had been killed in the clashes.

Story here. 

I don't see how the Saudi position is tenable.  They're engaged in fighting in Yemen, they're hip deep in the issues in Iraq/Syria and they have that brewing trouble with Qatar along with a huge dose of palace intrigue at home.

How does the house of Saud survive this?

I hope some smart lad in the bowels of the Pentagon is war-gaming this stuff.  What do we do if that govt collapses?

Anyone have a line on an M-104 or a clone?

Anyone know of a dealer that handles M-104 or builds a good clone in the US?  I'd like to lay my paws on one and shoot it to see if it handles as good as it looks.  Never been an AK guy but it looks neat.  The flipside is I've heard bad things about the domestic builds...so any info would be appreciated.

Did Trump short circuit a US strike on Syria airbases with a tweet?

via LA Times

The four-line statement on Syria from the White House Press Secretary came just after 9:44 p.m. EDT Monday.

"The United States has identified potential preparations for another chemical weapons attack by the Assad regime that would likely result in the mass murder of civilians, including innocent children," the statement read. "The activities are similar to preparations the regime made before its April 4, 2017 chemical weapons attack."

If Syrian President Bashar Assad "conducts another mass murder attack using chemical weapons, he and his military will pay a heavy price," it concluded, citing a U.S. missile strike after the previous chemical attack to reinforce the new threat.

A Pentagon spokesman confirmed Tuesday that preparations for a chemical attack were observed at the same base in Syria from which its military launched a sarin nerve gas attack that killed 86 people, including children, in April.

“We have observed activities at Shayrat Air Base that suggest possible intent by the Syrian regime to use chemical weapons again,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Adrian J.T. Rankine-Galloway said in a statement. “These activities are similar to what we observed prior to the regime chemical weapons attack against Khan Sheikhoun in April."

But some senior U.S. defense and intelligence officials reached late Monday and early Tuesday were caught off guard by the White House statement. “Some knew, some didn’t,” said a U.S. official who sought anonymity to discuss the intelligence matter.

The official described the release of the nighttime statement as "ungraceful," but said the assessment that Syria was preparing for an attack is “sound."

Story here. 

Many are saying that once again Trump operated outside the lines and warned the Syrian govt directly that they shouldn't launch a chemical attack.  The Pentagon and State Dept were caught off guard.

But what if that was the plan?

What if Trump knows that there are some in the deep state that WANT deeper US involvement in Syria, still want Assad gone more than ISIS killed and even want to cross swords with Russia?

What if he knows that a direct warning could prevent an airstrike against Assad's forces and would further his  goal of destroying ISIS and dealing with Assad later?

I've been waiting for the usual blowup from the deep state but I believe they understand that this time he got them.  He prevented a potential escalation in the war in Syria and if true he also prevented a chemical attack.

It was a win win by Trump but everyone is missing it because of the tweet.  This might be pure luck but its truly brilliant.  Love him or hate him but I think Trump got this one right.

S. Koreans putting the EVO-105mm Self Propelled Howitzer into service...

via UPI

 South Korea has developed an upgraded self-propelled 105mm howitzer and is preparing to mass produce it beginning next year.

According to the Yonhap news agency, the weapon features an advanced GPS device and automated fire control for enhanced shoot-and-scoot capability.

The number of its operating personnel is also reduced from nine soldiers to five.

The weapon, an improvement of the existing towed 105mm howitzwer, is mounted on a five-ton truck and has a range of nearly seven miles.

"It [the howitzer] was assessed as fit for combat by meeting all required operational capabilities in a recent test," the Defense Acquisition Program Administration was quoted as saying. "Accordingly, mass-production will begin in 2018 for use by our military units."

DAPA began developing the upgraded weapon in 2015 with local defense firm Hanhwa Techwin.

Neat little system.  I want to see how it performs in service and I want to see its range and what ammo it can chew without hiccups.

Resetting/Revamping Discussions on SNAFU!....new guidelines....

I've been told it was an issue but ignored it.

I can't ignore it anymore so what I'm doing is revamping and remodeling discussions on the fly.  A commenter stated that the ads in the discussion area was off-putting.  I looked and I get it.  The only ad will be at the end of the comments.  That should streamline things nicely.

Second.  Topics.  If you have ANY subject that is outside the scope of the blog-post then it should go into open comments.  No ifs ands or buts about it.  No warning, no chiding, just a deleted comment.

Next.  Flame Wars.  I'm the biggest sinner in this regard so its time to do a self check.  Too many have too much information to add to discussion without it getting lost in flame wars.  Again. Instead of engaging in the craziness I'll simply delete the comment.  No warnings, no ifs ands or buts.  The comment disappears.

Last.  For better or worse I am the judge and the jury on this.  Many don't like that idea and view blogs as community property but they aren't.  I determine the standards and will seek to hold myself to a higher standard and only ask others to act accordingly (for the most part YOU ALL have, I have failed).

With all that being said the result of all this is that I'm also establishing new, easily understood steps.  Deletion of comments, a time out and for especially egregious actions you'll be banned.  Every person that has in the past been banned is being "un-banned" .......I fully expect the list to fill back up because trolling and trolls are part of the internet, but we'll see how it goes.

Open Comment Post. June 29, 2017

Circling back to two previous blog posts...the Chinese Type 55 and the Jaguar Recon Vehicle..

Reading a few of the comments (catching up today and still behind....) there were two discussions that I think I need to explain myself on.  The first was the Type 55 Chinese ship and the second was the Jaguar Recon Vehicle...

I fell for the O-Kee Doke on this one.  The Chinese label their Type 55 as a destroyer but Galvars and others pointed out that this was more of a Cruiser class ship.

After reviewing the specs I think they're right.

And that's scary as fuck.  Many rightfully consider the Burke class as being modern day battleships.  What if the Chinese came out with something even more powerful?  Well they have and they're not stopping at one, two or three...they're gonna build a series of them.  Pause.  Evaluate.  And then build more.

For some unknown reason everyone wants to point to Russia as being the big bad.  They're not.  You want to point to the nation that wants to see us dead?  Look East toward China.  Even worse?  They're building a force not to fight us asymmetrically but to take us on toe to toe and win.  From my chair they're well on their way to getting that done.  By my estimate they already have regional superiority (we're probably at equivalency because of all the forces we sortied to the Pacific to deal with Korea crisis...but barring that we have too many worldwide commitments) and soon will have it no matter how many forces we send that way.

Want to be depressed?  Even if the Navy goes to 355 ships, it then becomes a matter of the quality of those forces.  We would still face a stalemate situation above the sea...only our submarine force could swing the decision in our direction during an at sea fight.  THAT IS THE ONLY PLACE where we still retain an undeniable advantage.

There was a bit of confusion over my calling the new French Jagauar "probably the best new breed recon vehicle" of this generation.  I stand by that.  My reasoning is simple.  Look at where the Aussies and the Brits have gone with their recon vehicles.  They're using IFVs, the Aussie version will probably be the 8x8 Boxer (if all the pundits are correct) and the Brits went with the ASCOD 2.  I believe they're both capable IFVs and fill that roll well.  The problem is that they're being flexed into the RECON role and I view that as being suboptimal for both designs.

Recon/Cavalry vehicles are suppose to locate the enemy, send a quick SALUTE and then get out of dodge.  They can dismount scouts and pull vehicles back if they haven't been spotted so that they can give constant updates and more precise information.  That gun on the vehicle?  Its suppose to be used  in the Recon role to disengage, in the defense role to delay or in the offense to screen the assault element from attacks on its flanks (simplistic explanation but you get the idea).  Its not their so they can hook and jab with enemy forces in a sustained fight.

Under those conditions the Jaguar in my opinion is superior based on size alone.  If you believe differently then I'd like to hear it but if you're gonna trot out armor protection then I don't really think you understand their role on the battlefield.  They're not supposed to take direct fire!  If that's what you want then you give a tank platoon a Cav guidon, big radios, a bright colorful neckscarf and a shiny black stetson and have them do the deed!

Gripen E - The Future-Proof Fighter

Thanks to Olgerts for the link!

The Rand Study was right? Chinese missiles could wipe out our bases in Japan?

via AOL Breaking Defense.

A Chinese surprise attack tomorrow could annihilate US forces and bases in Japan, two Navy officers found. But deploying more missile defenses — Army THAAD and Navy Aegis — would protect most targets north of Okinawa, Commanders Thomas Shugart and Javier Gonzalez found in simulations. Such a stronger defense, in turn, would reduce the temptation for Beijing to strike first in a crisis.

This scenario isn’t implausible. Chinese history and doctrine since 1949 show a marked preference for surprise attack. They struck Korea in 1950, India in 1962, Vietnam in 1974 and ’79. The Chinese usually justify their attacks as a defensive response to actions that threaten their sovereignty or vital interests. But those vital interests are defined very broadly — e.g. Beijing’s claim to the entire South China Sea — and armed force is seen as a legitimate response to purely political, non-violent provocations.

Story here. 

Interesting.  I would love to get a real deal look at sims that the Pentagon is running with regard to the F-35 versus Chinese and Russian fighters.  I bet what they're telling the public and what the truth is is diametrically opposed.

Additionally that much derided Rand simulation keeps getting proved right time after time.

The F-35 fanclub slams it but the truth is probably a bit depressing.  Remember when that plane was born it was cutting edge.  After more than a decade though its all common place.

The last thing that everyone should be aware of is that this isn't only about the F-35.  Its about our entire defense establishment in the Pacific.  We're too far spread out, covering too many bases....would we be able to mass forces in time to make a difference?  The other stunning thing is that in certain locales (Okinawa) we have too many forces in too compact a geographic area.

I keep look at Alaska.

It was once a major point of emphasis for our forces in the Pacific.  We should revisit the idea.  Aircraft can move at speed.  The idea of forward deploying so many forces within missile range of mainland China is in my mind crazy.

Either way we need to rethink our drink.  They aren't telling us the truth but the Pentagon is running the simulations and the threat is real.  If China goes HAM we're gonna get a black eye.

Airborne and Air Assault ARE NOT viable forms of forcible entry!

This post is gonna bring the hate and a bunch of stupid but that's ok.  It's time to get actual and factual with my audience.

Fact.  The Pentagon has stated that their are 3 forms of forcible entry.  Airborne, Air Assault and Amphibious Assault.

My Contention.  I believe that only one form of forcible entry is viable against a near peer foe.  Amphibious Assault.  I also contend that history has proven that the other forms of forcible entry are dead on arrival and only suitable for use against 2nd and 3rd world powers and terrorist groups.

Below I state my case.

Air Assault. 

Quite honestly this is the one that I was a bit jaded about.  The USMC does the heliborne assault thing with gusto but as a form of forcible entry it fails the test.  One incident is seared into my mind.  The Army's AH-64 assault Karbala.  via Wikipedia.

The 31 AH-64 Apaches of the 11th Aviation Group took off from Tactical Assembly Area Vicksburg, which was inside Objective Rams. One Apache crashed immediately after takeoff when its pilot became disoriented. When the Apache crews turned north toward Karbala, signals intelligence picked up over 50 Iraqi cell phone calls alerting the Iraqi forward units of the Apaches. As the helicopters came within range, the Iraqis signaled their troops to open fire by turning off the city's power grid for several seconds. Ground troops then opened up with a barrage of PKM, NSV, 23mm, and 57mm fire.
Lieutenant Jason King, pilot of Apache "Palerider 16", was hit by AKM fire[8] in the neck and suffered a severe hemorrhage, but he never lost consciousness.[3] He was later evacuated to Germany for surgery, but returned to his unit a few weeks later.[8] The Apaches were reluctant to return fire; most enemy fire was coming from houses and the risk of collateral damage was high. The helicopters scattered in search of the Medina Division, but were hampered by poor intelligence.
Apache "Vampire 12", flown by Warrant Officers David S. Williams and Ronald D. Young Jr., was forced down into a marsh after gunfire severed the hydraulics. The air commander's radio was also hit, preventing communication with the other helicopters. Attempting to flee the crash scene, both men swam down a canal, but were captured by armed civilians. The Iraqi government would later show the helicopter on TV and claim that it had been shot down by a farmer with a Brno rifle; however due to the high volume of anti-aircraft fire and the armor of the Apache, it is unlikely that a bolt-action rifle was responsible.[9]
The Apaches turned back for Tactical Assembly Area Vicksburg after a half-hour of combat. Most were without functioning navigation equipment or sights. At least two narrowly avoided a mid-air collision.[3] Post-battle analysis indicated the American gunships were targeted in a deliberately planned ambush[10] with cannon fire, RPGs, and small-arms all combining from multiple camouflaged fire teams.

By rights this should be labeled an "attack helicopter raid" and could arguably be considered outside the realm when we talk about the efficacy of Air Assault.  I disagree.  These were/are the most lethal helicopters that the US Army posses and they were mauled by Primitives in sandals firing AK's, RPG's and PKM's.

Against a higher threat enemy an Air Assault MIGHT be doable but it would take so much preparation that I don't believe it could truly be successful.  Think about it like this.  The enemy forces in this encounter used cell phones to coordinate a successful ambush of heliborne raid force.  I believe that this will be the ultimate result if the 101st were committed to entering a hostile nation.  It wouldn't be a sophisticated anti-air complex that would spell doom for that famed division...it would be a bunch of guys wearing sandals that are hooked up with the latest cell phone from Apple or Samsung.

2.  Airborne Assault.

The storied 82nd Airborne is the Army's premier intervention force (the Rangers belong to SOCOM so they lost that title in my mind).  They are setup (or were...I have kept up) with a Ready Company prepared to execute in 12 hours, a Ready Brigade that can go wheels up in (again I'm doing this from memory) 36 hours and then the Division can be on the go in 72 hours.

That's pretty damn impressive and is why every's ones cock's are out at Bragg.  They're the Army's tip of the spear and they'll make damn sure you know it (take a trip to what they once called Fatal-ville on a Saturday night and go to a bar or strip club...MMA fans would be impressed by the skill of drunk, out of their mind paratroopers).

All joking and stroking of egos aside, the Army is taking steps to make the 82nd more lethal on the ground.  They're procuring a ground transport that is easily air droppable from a C-130, thinking about a role for the JLTV in the airborne force and they're actively looking to procure a light tank.

The problem is simple.

They're fine light infantry, but its their method of employment that is the problem.  C-130, C-17 or God Forbid C-5 delivering a Brigade or more of troops by parachute into a hostile area is tough beyond imagination.  In an age of CNN, and other cable networks the buildup to hostilities would alert any potential target that an assault MIGHT be on the way.  Those aircraft might travel at high subsonic speed but they must slow to a max speed of 150 knots for airborne ops if they're using the T-11 (interesting that the T-10B was good up to 175 knots).

The result?  The 82nd is saddled with the fact that its transports are vulnerable to anti-air guns, man portable anti-air missiles,  complex land based anti-air defenses and even ship based systems (depending on the adversary).

We haven't even gotten around to the difficulties the division will face when its on the ground if they have to go toe to toe against a Mech Infantry or Armored Unit.

To add a bit of misery to all this they're only sustainable for 3 days before they must be relieved.  I don't know how long they could last in a high intensity fight before relief arrived.  Maybe 24 hours if they're conservative with their ammo and they're facing an infantry heavy force?

Conclusion.

My readers will take me to task but the facts are clear.  Only Amphibious Assault as conducted by the US Navy and the United States Marine Corps is viable.  The other forms are great against low level opponents but will falter against an even moderately trained force.

Do understand this caveat though.

Amphibious Assault is not to be undertaken lightly.  It will be rough work, will require the full effort of the Navy-Marine Corps Team and should be part of a national strategy with definable goals and a tactical outcome to be achieved by the landing.

But if we must kick in the door, then the only real option that we have is to call the Marines.

Flakka? Is this shit real?

Something for you zombie fans. BC #tacticalshit #tacticalsht #tacticalshithead

A post shared by Tactical Shit (@tacticalsht) on Jun 28, 2017 at 10:06am PDT

Jesus H. Christ!  Is this shit real?  I heard about eating (literally) another person hopped up on something...was it this?  6 Deputies to hold down one 105 pound male?  People running full speed into the back glass of an SUV?

If this is real then I'm carrying 33 round mags for back up from now on!

Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm pic of the day....

Fleet Air Arm & Frigates keeping our Nation's new Aircraft Carrier safe - on, below & above the waves
For more: http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2017/june/28/170628-frigates-secure-the-seas-for-hms-queen-elizabeth-on-maiden-sea-voyage