SNAFU!

Ain Al-Asad Air Base attacked?

Initial report: This morning at 0220 Ain Al-Asad Air Base (AAAB) was attacked by an unmanned aerial surveillance system. No injuries reported. A hangar was damaged. The attack is under investigation, for more information see @SecMedCell or @IraqiSpoxMOD
— OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) May 8, 2021

Each attack against the GoI, KRG and Coalition undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions, the rule of law and Iraqi national sovereignty.
— OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) May 8, 2021

Undermines the authority of Iraqi institutions? I think that's the point!

Predictable. China is seeking a base in West Africa to refuel/rearm ships to push into the Atlantic...

'The officer responsible for all US military operations and activities in Africa is concerned about the possibility of a Chinese military base on Africa’s west coast. Apparently, his hubris has blinded him to his hypocrisy'
- @RealScottRitter https://t.co/UzZeA2DGxE
— RT (@RT_com) May 8, 2021

Forget the commentary and read the article.

The tidbits of facts...especially the comment by the Africa Command CG is interesting.

We're still thinking about trying to bottle them up in the Pacific...behind the first island chain while they're about to take us worldwide.

The crazy thing?

It's all predictable if YOU DON'T UNDERESTIMATE Chinese capabilities and ambitions.

My argument? Containment is no longer possible. The competition phase is a joke. We're into the pre-combat phase. It might be them defending an ally, seeking to overthrow a govt (doubtful...not the Chinese way) or using a proxy to push their agenda. Regardless we're in the 21st century version of the interwar period.

CV90120 Tank with two-man Low Profile Turret

New CV90120 Tank with two-man Low Profile Turret, an interesting concept proposed by BAE Systems Hägglunds. This brand new variant was firstly publicly shown at Czech NATO Days 2018. pic.twitter.com/QVRmZxaraQ
— Ronkainen (@ronkainen7k15) May 6, 2021

25th ID is on the suppressor bandwagon...

We will always be ready to answer when our nation calls.#TropicLightning #StrikeHard #Readiness #Modernization #LightFighters #PTA #Lethality @25thIDCG pic.twitter.com/Tkn0tMQ1hd
— 25th Infantry Division (@25thID) May 8, 2021

PLAAF Y-20 cargo aircraft dropping some paras.

#PLAAF Y-20 cargo aircraft dropping some paras.

Via "xyqq" at SDF. pic.twitter.com/MxwOdLzDoo
— Alex Luck (@AlexLuck9) May 8, 2021

BAE Systems Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF)

BAE Systems Mobile Protected Firepower (MPF) pic.twitter.com/JojbdY3TjQ
— The Dead District (@TheDeadDistrict) May 7, 2021

US Army 82nd Airborne and UK 16th Air Assault jump into Estonia from Ft. Bragg...

#HappeningNow: 🇺🇸 @82ndABNDiv & 🇬🇧 @16AirAssltBde #Paratroopers conduct Joint Forcible Entry operations from #FortBragg, North Carolina, into 🇪🇪 #Estonia for #SwiftResponse 2021! 🪂 #DefenderEurope @PantherBrigade @USEmbTallinn @FORSCOM @USArmy @18airbornecorps pic.twitter.com/mmmftv8sfa
— U.S. Army Europe and Africa (@USArmyEURAF) May 7, 2021

M3E1 Multi-purpose Anti-armor Anti-personnel Weapon System (MAAWS)

2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment conducts M777 night fire...

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, fire the M777 Howitzer during Table 12 of the Field Artillery Certification and Qualification at Yakima Training Center May 4, 2021. Field artillery tables are procedures designated from Table 1 through Table 18 and provide crew, section, and team qualification through collective training up to the battalion and Brigade Combat Team levels to support the commander's assessment of training readiness.