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This plane is just screaming to be turned into a light attack platform. Hope someone in the Pentagon is thinking. Limited resources will require max use of cost effective systems we have in the pipeline.
Friday, August 21, 2020
Maiden flight of first EMD Red Hawk jet slated for September 2021
This plane is just screaming to be turned into a light attack platform. Hope someone in the Pentagon is thinking. Limited resources will require max use of cost effective systems we have in the pipeline.
CV9030N Oppklaringspanservognen (OPV), upgraded recce variant of CV9030N to CV90 Mk III+ standard
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Up close with an IM-SHORAD prototype
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Thursday, August 20, 2020
I think about that every single day." – SSG David Bellavia, Co A, 2-2 1st ID, Fallujah, Iraq, Nov 10, 2004
via ZeroFucks Instagram Page.
"There was a blood trail up the stairs, so I'm thinking that I'm going up those stairs, kill the guy and smoke a cigarette. That was going to be my reward.
I get up the stairs and, the jihadist I had shot repeatedly, had his AK47 right at the landing. My boot slid on a puddle of his blood, and as my foot went to the side, he shot. It was just because I slipped in his blood, that he didn't blow my face off...and we just started going at it.
We were choking and punching each other, he bit me right in the throat. I guess there are no rules. I was trying to kill this guy, he was trying to kill me.
I had a knife and I stabbed him right in the neck. I then just felt a bunch of warmth..oozing warmth. He just took his hand and caressed the side of my face. I don't know if he was thanking me for sending him to paradise, respecting me, or what. I used to think he was forgiving me.
I think about that every single day." – SSG David Bellavia, Co A, 2-2 1st ID, Fallujah, Iraq, Nov 10, 2004
25th ID Jungle Operations Training Course
The US Army is coming for the Missile Marine's milkshake. They WILL conduct operations worldwide AND WILL NOT focus only on China.
In history we've seen US generals attempt to plan for the next war. Every time they've been wrong. After WW2 it was thought we'd be involved in a nuclear war. Korea came calling. After Korea the thinking was that we'd see a fight in the Fulda Gap. Instead Vietnam came calling. In between all that we saw various crises all over the globe.
Now we have Missile Marine Corps leadership predicting that a major fight will happen in the first island chain.
I think they're wrong. Dead wrong (it'll be in Africa but no one is listening!).
The fight will be elsewhere and the Missile Marine WILL NOT BE EQUIPPED to fight it! Worse? Even if the fight does come to the Pacific the Missile Marines will be SUPPORT for the Army/Navy warfighters (on sea and/or land).
Berger is building a one trick pony that might never get rode. If it does it will still fail.
Meanwhile the Army is coming. We're seeing the 25th ID focused on the Pacific but what happens when the Koreans finally accept responsibility for their own defense and the 2nd ID can deploy theater wide?
WHEN the US Army decides to task orient their divisions to specific theaters and start piling more anti-ship/anti-air/UAVs/helos in this arena then what will the nation need the Marine Corps for with its planned organizational concept? It won't be a general purpose. It will be sole purposed and only designed for one foe...and even probably fail at that.
Rollin’ On The River
These are the pics from the vid I posted yesterday. In that blog post I predicted that LAR would disappear from the Missile Marine Corps.
Unfortunately in this case, Berger MIGHT have a point. An 8x8, 15 ton vehicle that carries a crew of 3 and up to 6 Marines with a 25mm chain gun? Compare that to this...
Simplified logistics because the vehicle is in widespread US armed forces use. Increased firepower by way of a 30mm cannon along with a javelin anti-tank missile. Equal (I'm told) ground mobility. Can't swim but can be airlifted much much much easier than the LAV?
The simple fact is this.
The LAV is outdated and needs a replacement. I'll try and find the quote in the document I love to hate but Berger did express lack of confidence in a future role for the organization.
With the emphasis on aviation I'm sure he's looking at UAVs to act as scouts and enhanced situational awareness to screen our flanks.
I believe the enemy will adjust accordingly and increase their use of anti-aircraft missiles, lasers, jamming etc...to knock down not only our aircraft but also our UAVs.
All eggs in a fragile basket.
If aviation fails. If there aren't enough missiles then this whole dream will die a painful death.
Unfortunately Marines will die with it.
But what about LAR?
In my opinion you have to have a unit that can go out and scout ahead of what little mechanized force remains (still think the ACV will get canned but we'll see what we'll see). Additionally that unit needs to be able to fight for information in an environment where comms/sats/uavs are all down (the fog of war is high).
What vehicle fits that bill?
It's gonna sound radical and many will shitcan the idea but if we're reduced to limited mech forces then we're gonna need our "cavalry" to be stronger. Obviously it can go to the old Army way of using Tanks but what about a light tank? What about the Army's new light tank?
Replace LAR with the Army's light tank and I believe that'll fit the bill. Enough firepower to fight for info. Enough armor to take a hit.
The Chinese copy the Mobile Landing Platform...
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The Chinese have no shame!
Has Turkey bitten off more than it can chew?
#Turkey Deploys troops in front line with #Syrianarmy— Sukhoi Su-57 Felon 🇷🇺🇮🇳 (@I30mki) August 19, 2020
Wow Turkey currently deploys its soldiers in 4 fronts...!!!
Syria, Libya, Armenia and Greece !!!
is it eating more then it can chew !!!pic.twitter.com/wzLGVKFFuo
Awesome tweet!
The question has to be asked. Can a medium power sustain combat operations on four fronts and possibly a 5th (I note that talk about action against Egypt has quieted tremendously over the past few weeks after making combat seem imminent)?
I don't think so.
The secret sauce so far?
The same as good ole Uncle Sam has utilized. They've kept casualties low. The most kinetic theater is just over the border and that one is probably the most justified action (from a Turk point of view).
The problem will be the lost wealth and treasure in these fights. Can they sustain it for long? I don't think so.
And that plays into US/Russian/Syrian/Kurd plans. They will simply outlast Turkey's ability to maintain these 4 wars. Something will have to give. Capitulating to Greece is out of the question. Libya provides the opportunity to recoup some of the lost money. Don't know enough about the Armenian situation to properly speculate. Which leaves Syria. Turkey would from my seat abandon further expansion into that country, reinforce it's border and simply conduct punitive air raids against the Kurds/ISIS.
They can lessen their involvement without looking like they're withdrawing.
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
2d LAR Splash Training
U.S. Marines with Charlie Company, 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2d Marine Division perform a floatation test with Light Armored Vehicle-25s at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, August 18, 2020. These tests are imperative to determine the seaworthiness of a vehicle for future training and operations to maintain the Division’s combat readiness.I highlighted the word "seaworthiness" for a reason. Berger has already expressed doubt about the future of LAR. This is more than a flotation test. This is a validation of what I believe are his preconceived notions about LAR, how they fit into the fight in the Pacific and whether they'll be long for the Missile Marine Corps.
I believe this unit is fighting for it's life but doesn't know it.
My guess?
If it can't swim from ship to shore, is too heavy to be carried by helo to shore (and let's be honest...it IS!), and has weapons that are overmatched by cannons carried by utility vehicles (even the Army's squad carrier mounts a 30mm cannon now) then that's all he'll need to can the unit.
My guess is that sometime in 2021 (after the 2nd quarter) we'll see LAR's colors cased.
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