Leading COVID-19 expert from South Korea, explains why everyone should be wearing a mask.

Leading COVID-19 expert from South Korea, explains why everyone should be wearing a mask. pic.twitter.com/T2eNxBRPFs

— David Patterson (@NGIinsights) March 28, 2020

Everyone is focused on the now.  We're dealing with the situation the best we can.  There will be lessons learned and applied for the real drama that I believe will happen this fall/winter when the monster that China unleashed on the world returns to the US/Europe (Australia is about to get hammered soon).

My first takeaway?  Forget social dynamics.  I will be buying Masks for me and my loved ones.  If they're good enough for medical pros then they're good enough for me.  Additionally if the outbreak gets bad enough I'll ramp up to military grade NBC masks.  You laugh?  You shouldn't.  This thing ain't over this summer.  It'll be back.  Mark my words and thank China.

No survivors | Plane carrying medical crew & patient crashes in Manila

No survivors | Plane carrying medical crew & patient crashes in #Manila pic.twitter.com/gu8brMWXtI

— RT (@RT_com) March 29, 2020

New Generation of Dornier Seastar completed First Flight

Here.

Analysis: Tracked defense and security combat vehicles of Turkish Industry

Story via Army Recognition (here).

This is definitely a good read.  I'm a complete FNSS fanboy so I'm a bit biased, but considering the troubles in Syria this is if nothing else a good background on the vehicles involved in that conflict.

China's missteps are mounting...

The media today reports that there will be a reckoning with Beijing when the Covid-19 crisis is over. China’s failure to provide timely warning, robust data and to behave responsibly is totally unacceptable. We will have to reduce our dependency and recalibrate the relationship. https://t.co/KFulThd3GX

— Nicholas Drummond (@nicholadrummond) March 29, 2020

The #CCP is using “mask diplomacy” in an attempt to divide the world

But #Spain, #Italy, #CzechRepublic, #Turkey and the #Philippines all received defective test kits

Now the #Netherlands is recalling its masks too#China’s strategy is backfiring badly!https://t.co/FY8HTdlZbI

— James Lee Proudfoot🎗 (@PhilosophyNook) March 29, 2020

The apologists and propagandists will deny it but this is a rough year for the world (including the US) but an even rougher one for China.

Everything is now in question when it comes to dealing with them.  From 5G to Mask Diplomacy to international relations.

Everyone will reassess.  Corporations can be expected to act as they usually do.  Profits at the expense of everything.  But that's not where the action will be.

The action will be with the politicians.

Even if they're able to somehow weather the storm it will be entertaining to see them try and spin the current relationship as being mutually beneficial.

I believe many dark truths will/have been exposed during this current episode.

RAF Photographers (Instagram) CH-47 Pic Essay...

NORAD & USNORTHCOM Commander Answers COVID-19 Questions

Good to see the NorthCom Commander stick his head up.  Is it just me or has he been missing in action?

Of course the Futurama episode and Bender having a discussion with the animated representation of God does make me wonder...



"When you do thing right people won't be sure you've done anything at all..."

Does this apply to NorthCom?

Has this applied to all matter of emergencies that happened before this one? Was the military always helping out and we simply didn't have visibility on that support?

I sure hope so.

Doesn't matter.  He's up and talking about this now.  I guess that's all that matters.

Side note.  Have you noticed that the role of Combatant Commanders seems to be on the decline?  I don't know if its just this administration or a trend that might see them abolished but the SecDef and JCS have been the front people when it comes to so many issues .... from Syria, to the Iranian rocket attack on our people in Iraq and to the coronavirus response...Combatant Commanders have seemingly faded into the background.

USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departs for New York. I don't know if I've ever been prouder of the US Navy...

Note.  I've wondered several times why the US military hasn't responded more vigorously to domestic disasters but now we're seeing at least the US Navy putting it full shoulder to the wheel (can't forget the medical staffs of the US Army, US Air Force and the solidwork the US Coast Guard does on a daily basis).  But this right here.  This should be billboard material once the danger has passed.  Also noted are the people waving goodbye to them as they depart.  Once again you have people thinking with their hearts instead of brains.  SOCIAL DISTANCING PEOPLE!!!!

Ukrainian Otaman 6x6 armoured fighting vehicle (Heavily modified BTR-60)

More info here.

IAI RoBattle Combat & Combat Support Unmanned Ground Vehicle

Info here.

Czech Republic receives new Pandur II variants

via Shepard Media

The Czech Republic is improving the mobility and situational awareness of its ground forces through new command/staff and communication (liaison) variants of the 8x8 Pandur II.

The first four of these vehicles, manufactured by Tatra Defence Vehicle (part of the Czechoslovak Group holding enterprise), were delivered in early March to the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade in Štěpánov, Olomouc.

They are part of a batch of 20 Pandur IIs (six command/staff and 14 communication) ordered by the Czech MoD in 2017 in a CZK16.5 billion ($650 million) contract.

Designed to improve battlefield communications, the Pandur II command/staff variant (pictured above) is equipped to handle data traffic capacity, and the communication variant is responsible for complete radio traffic.

A Czech Army spokesperson told Shephard that the main advantage of the command/staff vehicle lies in its specialised and highly advanced computers. This vehicle also has systems for secure and non-secure voice and data connection.

To ensure high-capacity data transmission, this variant of Pandur II is equipped with a radio relay link, a system of automatic directional antenna, radio station, directional antenna, omnidirectional antenna and a speakerphone.

‘It could be deployed in the field and allow the commander to be aware of the situation on the battleground in every condition,’ the army source said.

The new command/staff variant of Pandur II features specialised and highly advanced computers. (Photo: Tatra Defence Vehicle)

A spokesperson for Tatra noted that the command/staff variant is designed to support the decision-making process of the commander at the battalion level and brigade in combat management.

‘The carriers will help to streamline the process of command and control of subordinate elements,’ the spokesperson pointed out, adding that Tatra built the vehicle with high manoeuvrability and mobility in mind.

The command/staff vehicle was delivered with field command posts, which are special inflatable tents (8x5.7x3m) capable of housing ten workstations with computer terminals.

‘They will enable to expand the number of staff of the superior command levels directly on the battlefield,’ the Tatra spokesperson noted.

The communication variant of Pandur II is designed to provide a radio link between the senior-level officers and frontline troops. These vehicles are equipped with systems of secret and non-secreted voice and data communication in the VHF, UHF and HF band.

Both new variants of Pandur II are equipped with a jammer and have increased ballistic resistance and anti-crash protection.

They are also designed to accommodate four crew members (the driver, the vehicle commander and two electronic systems operators) on new Czech-made BOG-AMS-V anti-explosion seats.

The 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade of the Czech Army should receive six command/staff and 14 communication Pandur IIs by the end of 2020. 

Story here. 

There are always critics ... no matter what a force does people will complain (to include me at times).  That being said I like what they're doing.

Coronavirus News. Has anyone wondered why we aren't disinfecting the streets in big cities like they are in Asia?

This is how Bali is now Disinfecting the streets due to coronavirus 😳 #Covid19 #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/6cNtcS4O04

— Sukhoi Su-57 Felon 🇷🇺🇮🇳 (@I30mki) March 28, 2020

I've wondered about this for a minute and after seeing this Tweet decided to blog about it.

Why aren't we seeing this type of mitigation effort in big cities like New York, San Francisco, LA, New Orleans and other places?

Despite much crying.  Much publicity.  Much complaints.  It would appear that many local govts aren't deploying the full range of options to try and stop the spread of this thing.

We keep hearing how dangerous this thing is but even when the President floats the idea of declaring NY City a quarantine zone the first reaction is to push back against the idea...even though we know New Yorkers are fleeing the city, spreading this disease to the rest of the US.

Amazing.