Thursday, July 30, 2020
Is it time to rotate the 173rd Airborne to the Pacific?
Consider this a modest proposal.
Should we rotate the 173rd Airborne to the Pacific? I personally think it makes sense. The Missile Marines are going to be concentrating on the sea battle and is gearing up to focus on that mission set.
That leaves the Army as the sole remaining general purpose ground force we have.
That means we have a huge gap in capabilities in the Pacific. While the 25th can add a credible medium to light punch (in the form of their Stryker and Light Fighters) we're still lacking a rapid deployment ground force.
I think the 173rd could fill that role admirably.
But what about the possibility of fighting in contested space (the latest buzz word in the Pentagon)?
Doable. Hard but doable. But before you shitcan the idea consider this. The Missile Marines are talking about operating slow moving small amphibs in contested space, using MV-22s to move troops ashore, landing HIMARS/anti-ship missile vehicles to engage ships at sea, setting up FARPs and moving heavy cargo/fuel/munitions ashore in CH-53Ks...ALL WHILE OPERATING IN CONTESTED SPACE!
If that can be done (I don't think it can but let's play the game) then surely a C-17 with escorts can zoom in at 500 knots, slow to drop paratroopers and then zoom out at 500 knots.
It can't be any worse than what the Missile Marines are planning can it?
I hear what you're saying now. What about heavy equipment? The same way you got in paratroopers is the same way you get in C-17 transported equipment. We might need to develop new ways of air dropping but it can be done.
The sad truth?
With the arrival of the Missile Marines the United States of America is down to only 1 (ONE!) means of forcible entry.
Airborne forces are now the ONLY credible means of entering denied space. The Apache raid in Desert Storm 2 pretty much put a nail in the coffin of air assaults being viable in my mind. The current Commandant of the Missile Marines put a nail in amphibious assault.
That leaves the US Army and it's Airborne Forces as our end all be all for forcible entry.
Time to strengthen the capability.
Hope the Army Chief Of Staff is listening!
The last ride...2nd MARDIV edition...
Note. Corks are popping at HQMC, but they've been getting it wrong for a decade now and they're getting it wrong on the future of warfare. You want an analogy of the time we're living in? It's the interwar period between WW1 and WW2. The pace of technology will not allow ANYONE to accurately develop a concept to meet it. The best that can be done is to hone to perfection concepts that have been proven to be war winning. Ya know, like a balanced Air-Ground Task Force! Congrats to Berger. You got what you wanted cowboy. Let's pray that you didn't royally fuck it up as bad as I think you did.
Note 1. When he makes the move against AAV/ACV it will be violent and even quicker than this cluster. Mark my words. Before the end of 2021 they will also be out of the Missile Marine Corps.
Note 2. Save these pics gents. You're seeing history that will be revisited the next time the Missile Marine Corps inevitably needs armor for firepower and shock.
Note 1. When he makes the move against AAV/ACV it will be violent and even quicker than this cluster. Mark my words. Before the end of 2021 they will also be out of the Missile Marine Corps.
Note 2. Save these pics gents. You're seeing history that will be revisited the next time the Missile Marine Corps inevitably needs armor for firepower and shock.
Wednesday, July 29, 2020
How much longer will AAV/ACV last?
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| A U.S. Marine Corps AAV-P7/A1 assault amphibious vehicle driver with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, drives an AAV-P7/A1 up the well deck ramp of the amphibious landing dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) during training to increase Navy-Marine Corps interoperability in the eastern Pacific. The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps continue to combine efforts to refine and strengthen fundamental amphibious capabilities and reinforce the Navy-Marine Corps team. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Kassie McDole) |
Question. How much longer will AAV/ACV last? It's quite obvious that Berger wants them gone but I've heard nothing with regard to their future/timetable for deletion from the Missile Marines. Anyone hear anything?
Berger's dream comes true. The last 1st Tanks vehicle is gone...
That’s all she wrote for tanks in the desert of 29 Palms. All gone. pic.twitter.com/5cuS5NWu5j— Adam V. Link (@Linkavych) July 28, 2020
Marine Corps historians will rue this day. Missile Marine Corps Advocates will be overjoyed.
1st Tanks is really dead.
What the enemy couldn't do, one misguided Commandant could. He destroyed a Marine Corps unit with the stroke of a pen within a few weeks.
The Marine Corps had a storied history but all things must come to an end I guess. I look forward to seeing how long the Missile Marine Corps lasts.
The Israeli Eitan 8x8 IFV is a BEAST!
Thanks to Vodkar for the pic!
I've said it before and I'll say it again. People luv the Boxer but the Eitan is the best wheeled IFV on the planet (non-amphibious). The Boxer is good but it just can't compare.
The Israelis did the Eitan right!
I've said it before and I'll say it again. People luv the Boxer but the Eitan is the best wheeled IFV on the planet (non-amphibious). The Boxer is good but it just can't compare.
The Israelis did the Eitan right!
Block 1 Boxer CRV 30mm turreted variants have arrived in Australia.
Looks good. Looks real good. Interesting thing? The Australians are seeking to gain the exact same capability that the Missile Marine Corps has carelessly thrown away. Hopefully the US Army will develop a brigade of the 25th ID into an amphibious capable unit.
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"The Last Ride"....U.S. Marines with 2d Tank Battalion, @2dmardiv , track through tank trails on Camp Lejeune
Berger's act of killing Tanks will go down in infamy.
He is happily embracing a concept that is as still born as the others we've had over the last 10 years. He's taking it one step further though. He's killing combat power to embrace a fantasy.
US Marine Corps tanks riding into the mist? Yes. Berger made it happen. Hilarity will ensue when we see US Army tanks blasting OUT OF THE MIST to save a Missile Marine Corps unit from a Chinese onslaught.
United States Missile Marine Corps finds its footing at Summer Fury 2020...
Note. The USMMC finds its footing at Summer Footing 2020. The emphasis? Air and Missiles. The Ground Combat Element is DEAD! The weird thing? Instead of the Air Wing needing an advocate at the highest reaches of the former Marine Corps it is now the Ground Combat Element that needs an advocate at the highest reaches of the new Missile Marine Corps. The break from the past is DISTINCT, Obvious and Stunning. Maybe we can get a bubba from the 82nd, 2th ID or the Rangers to come over to remind leadership in the USMMC that ground forces are important. God knows it seems that the dudes running the USMMC have forgotten that.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
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