Saturday, September 28, 2019

William Rankin, The Man Who Rode The Thunder



Read this amazing story here.

Calvin and Hobbs just wrecked me...


Complete and total mind fuck.

Angry Staff Officer said it well...

MILREM's Themis Unmanned Ground Vehicles in Mali





Wow.  First congrats to Estonia Ministry Of Defense for getting these into the field, but second.  Wow.  That puppy is big!  Its the size of an ATV.  I know Squad Support Vehicles are all the rage but damn!  Unless the price point is beyond attractive then we're looking at a vehicle that rivals a manned vehicles size, carry ability is probably similar and so is potential weapons load outs.

I want to be convinced that these UGVs are worth the effort (the Squad Support Vehicle Variants) but this seems a rather exotic piece of kit just to haul around some gear.

As things currently stand I think this is a quick work around to the age old problem that no one wants to tackle...Soldiers load and how to make it workable.  If we solve the loadout, without it being constantly increased then we'll be cooking with gas.

How do we do that?  Probably by following a true light infantry model.  It will require toughening up.  Moving light.  Freezing at night.  That old skool Ranger stuff that not even the Rangers follow anymore.

Friday, September 27, 2019

Open Comment Post. 27 Sept 2019


Israeli Defense Force Eitan 8x8 Wheeled IFV (pics)...







I stand by my previous statement.  The Eitan is the most impressive 8x8 on the market today, not the Boxer.  It is the new benchmark in protection, mobility and firepower for the entire class.  If the USMC didn't need it's rigs to swim I'd be pounding on the Commandant's desk demanding that we give these a serious look.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Is something going on with Russia's Black Sea Fleet?





China launches its 22nd Type 052D Destroyer...it's 9th this year.

Thanks to Filippo for the pic!


The Chinese have built 9 Burke class style destroyers this year.  Let that sink in.

They're building more destroyers in one year (and the year isn't over) than some navies have in their entire inventory.

If we're honest about the Chinese threat then we probably need to go on and case the colors of the 2nd Fleet and homeport a few more ships to the West coast.

I'm sorry Ma'am. Could you tell me how you really feel?

View this post on Instagram
So this was not how I wanted to enter back on Social Media. I I have not been on social media for 3 years. I’m getting back on today to make sure the world knows about this horrible racist incident that happened to me. #thishappenedtome ————————————— ... I am “The black woman” this racist woman verbally assaulted inside #cvs. I filmed her, it’s my voice you hear. I asked the #cvs employees to call the police. The cashier responded the customer is calling now. I proceeded to film her in action. #CVS did nothing to protect me. I’m awaiting for police to contact me as they didn’t come to the scene. THERE ARE LAWS AGAINST HATE CRIMES. I will stand and fight. #racist #racism #people #country #america #black #ignorance #blacklivesmatter #theygolowwegohigh #peace #notonmywatch #thishappenedtome #adreneash #costumedesigner #stylist #blackwomen
A post shared by Adrene Ashford (@iamadrene) on


Two things.

1.  This lady would take some extreme verbal judo and mental discipline to keep from simply punching in the face except for number 2.

2.  Reading the story (here) its obvious that she's just one of the millions of mentally ill people on the streets of America...or she's drugged or both.  The crazy thing is that I've recently learned that prescribed medication could cause an interaction unforeseen by their doctor that could cause this type of erratic behavior.

And of course all of the above could be true and she could still be a freaking racists.

Who knows!  This chick needs help though.

This knife attack on a LEO looks like a planned ambush to me...

Destroying the DNI to get to Trump? Ugly politics...it's not supposed to be this way.



I'm going to gently (and I hope correctly) wade into the Trump impeachment hearing.

I haven't been following the story but from what I gather a whistleblower (obviously an anti-Trumper) informed whoever and now an impeachment hearing is going on.

Ok.

Cool.

We'll see what we'll see.

What has me spinning is how the Acting DNI is getting savaged by the Dems in an effort to destroy Trump.

It's not supposed to be this way.  I've monitored Twitter and seen never Trumpers trying to walk a fine line.  They've been cheering on the Dems at every turn but now are trying at the sametime to call back the beasts that are attempting to ravage the name and character of a good man that's once again serving his nation (he was a Navy SEAL Officer) as DNI.

This is ugly.  It seems (from my chair and I admit that I don't know the details cause I haven't been following it) contrived and made up.

Time will tell but I would caution ANYONE about working for ANY ADMINISTRATION for at least the next decade or two.

DC is out of control and the news media aren't providing the public the information we need.

Parachutes fail during BMD airborne exercise...military training is inherently dangerous.

Thanks to RakuRO for the link!









Vid here.

S300V4 first alerted me to this incident but I was getting slammed at work so couldn't latch onto it.  I was reminded by RokuRO and can dig into it a little.

I can't and won't jeer, pester, mock or make fun of this incident.  Military training is inherently dangerous.  Additionally we've all called for it but some seem to be a bit miffed now that they're delivering.

The Russians were open about this.  That's a diplomatic win (small but worth noting).  We asked them to be open and they're doing it.

Back on task.

Simply put?  Shit happens.  No one was hurt so it was still a good day.

Sidenote.  What are these things constructed of?  The vehicle appears to have almost micro fragmented.  Wouldn't expect that of an armored vehicle even dropped from height.

Hushkit's top ten BVR fighters...


Wow.  They have an UNUSUALLY HIGH opinion of the Rafale.  I kinda shy away from lists like this but they really do love the Russian stuff and adore the new Chinese model.  Check it out here.