AAVs get back in the water (Pics)

U.S. Marines with 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, conduct rescue and recovery drills during land-based training on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, April 13, 2021. The training solidified trust and confidence in the capabilities of the assault amphibious vehicle crew members and enforced water integrity testing procedures. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Cameron Hermanet)

Marines Convoy Across the United States...Ok but why?

 

I asked why but I guess the quick answer would be "why not"...I'll just roll with that.

Bougainville II: Force-on-force...Stand In Force @ work...

 

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Fernando Sulsona, rifleman, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, looks for enemy troops as part of a force-on-force event during exercise Bougainville II at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, April 22, 2021. Bougainville II is the second phase of pre-deployment training conducted by the battalion designed to increase combat readiness through complex and realistic live-fire training. 

Expanding the Battlefield...Stand In Force @ work...

U.S. Marines with 3d Marine Division and elements across III Marine Expeditionary Force conduct Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations within the first island chain of the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps Video shot by Sgt. Josue Marquez and video edited by Staff Sgt. Albert J. Carls)

Render of Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 with Rheinmetall ADS (StrikeShield in US)

Render of Rheinmetall Lynx KF41 with Rheinmetall ADS (StrikeShield in US) APS modules on the side. Likely a good impression of the US OMFV progrmame bid vehicle. pic.twitter.com/H6fDPQEaXa

— Jon Hawkes (@JonHawkes275) May 18, 2021

They sink the knife deep and now they turn it...1st Tank Deactivation Ceremony

 

On May 21 the 1st Tank Battalion will be deactivated as part of Force Design 2030. Join us on our official Facebook page at 1 p.m. PST for live coverage of the deactivation ceremony. pic.twitter.com/m42lovBf47

— 1st Marine Division (@1st_Marine_Div) May 18, 2021

Within the span of the next 3 Commandants we'll either see this capability revitalized or the Marine Corps will die from the bean counters. Some recent Ivy League College Grad will count money, compare capabilities and state plainly that the Navy can do what the Marine Corps does now (with Force 2030) with an additional Burke or two. The Army will have developed so much capability in long range fires that this "niche role" will be competed over and won by the Army gun (and now) missile bunnies.

Marine Air will be irrelevant.  The F-35 will in essence price itself out of existence and the Marine Corps will be flying a pure manned fleet of F-35s that will cost a king's ransom to maintain.

A Marine Major asked "who are we" and I would like to find the bubba and ask him if he likes what he sees now.

I am so amazed that the 2nd land army nonsense got bitten on so hard by the leadership in the Marine Corps.

Claiming to be  a "Stand In Force" as our reason for existence is to simply herald the casing of the Marine Corps colors.

Special Operations Forces Bracing for Arctic Missions

 

via National Defense.

For the past two decades, U.S. Special Operations Forces have deployed to some of the most dangerous and inhospitable places on the planet to combat terrorist networks. With the Pentagon increasingly focused on great power competition, they may soon find themselves spending more time in a region that presents a unique set of challenges — the Arctic.

In 2019, the Defense Department released its latest Arctic Strategy, which noted the important role for special operators.

“DoD’s desired end-state for the Arctic is a secure and stable region in which U.S. national security interests are safeguarded, the U.S. homeland is defended, and nations work cooperatively to address shared challenges,” the document said. “The agile and expeditionary nature of SOF, combined with established allied and partner relations and interoperability, provides DoD a ready capability to compete below the level of armed conflict in the Arctic region, and across the spectrum of SOF core activities.”

Special operators have played a central role in the post-9/11 wars conducting direct assault missions, the most famous being the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden. But unless terrorist groups set up shop in the High North, SOF will play more of a supporting role in the Arctic using a wide range of skill sets, officials and analysts say.

U.S. Special Operations Forces include Army Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders, Special Tactics airmen and other elements.

“We do a lot of stuff, and frankly, the majority of what we are assigned in the SOF community are missions that are in support of the general purpose forces, who obviously in the Arctic will … be the biggest chunk of the American activity there,” said Steve Bucci, a retired Special Forces officer and a defense analyst with the Heritage Foundation think tank. “Pretty much all of the missions we can do anywhere else, we can do in the Arctic; … we’ll just do it in a lot colder environment with a lot more challenge to get it done.”

Here 

Weird.

I just don't get the mindset.

SOCOM is basically being given the "rest of the world".  The USMC/USN/USAF/US Army are all focused on the Pacific with various other mixes of the general purpose forces being tasked with a few other areas.  Korea is Army/Air Force.  Europe is an all Army/Air Force affair.  Middle East is Army/Air Force/Navy party.

The Marine Corps and most of the Army is out of the small wars business with only (probably) the 82nd, 101st and a few other Army light fighters available to support them in N. Africa and the Middle East (God help us all if S. America goes crazy but its already a SOCOM play ground).

My point?

SOCOM has enough on its plate without trying to grab a role in the wide open arctic.

Most of the world will belong to SOCOM.

No need to grab a piece of the pie in the Pacific or Arctic....

1st CAB Participates in Dutch Exercise Falcon Response

CH-47 Chinooks from 2nd Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st CAB conducts sling load operations with equipment from the 11 Air Assault Brigade of the Royal Netherlands Army, in Mihail Kogălniceanu, Romania on May.15. Falcon Response is a Dutch led exercise designed to build readiness and interoperability between the Netherlands , U.S. , Germany , and Romania armed forces. This year, more than 2000 multinational forces from all 4 nations will conduct operations across training areas near the Black Sea Region. 

Open Comment Post. 18 May 2021

 

Closeup of a Wolf Spider

Hey all.  Obviously no blogging yesterday and extremely light blogging today.  Lotta stuff going on.  Hopefully back to normal tomorrow.  

USAF to Cut F-35 Buy in Future Years Defense Plan

 

USAF to Cut F-35 Buy in Future Years Defense Plan | Read more https://t.co/hg7WkFH31o. pic.twitter.com/dG7nwh9SaZ

— Air Force Magazine (@AirForceMag) May 15, 2021

Mig-31 with Kinzhal missile

Thanks to Filipo Neri for the pic!

 

Navy, Marine Corps integrate with joint forces during Northern Edge 21

ALASKA (May 3, 2021) A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet refuels with a U.S. Air Force KC-10 Extender over an Alaskan range in support of Northern Edge 2021. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces’ skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Burt Traynor

GULF OF ALASKA (May 3, 2021) A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit flies over the Gulf of Alaska in support of Northern Edge 2021. U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces’ skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brendan Mullin)

NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN (May 3, 2021) A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to take off from the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) in support of Northern Edge 2021. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces’ skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nadia Lund)

GULF OF ALASKA (May 3, 2021) The amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) transits the Gulf of Alaska in support of Northern Edge 2021. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces' skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Navy photo by Intelligence Specialist 1st Class Daniel Nichols)

GULF OF ALASKA (May 3, 2021) The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) maneuvers through the Gulf of Alaska in support of Northern Edge 2021. U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces’ skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brendan Mullin)

GULF OF ALASKA (May 5, 2021) U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Jenna Leggett directs an F-35B Lightning II, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, after landing on the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) flight deck in support of Northern Edge 2021. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces’ skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob D. Bergh)

GULF OF ALASKA (May 6, 2021) The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) transits waters of the Gulf of Alaska in support of Northern Edge 2021. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces’ skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Heath Zeigler)

GULF OF ALASKA (May 7, 2021) An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, approaches the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), May 7, 2021, in support of flight operations above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex and Gulf of Alaska during Exercise Northern Edge 2021 (NE21). Navy, Air Force and Marine aircraft executed flight missions during NE21 demonstrating seamless, joint combat capabilities. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces' skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control, and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Hayden Burns)

GULF OF ALASKA (May 8, 2021) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) transits the Gulf of Alaska as part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, May 8, 2021, in support of flight operations above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex and Gulf of Alaska during Exercise Northern Edge 2021 (NE21). Navy, Air Force and Marine aircraft executed flight missions during NE21 demonstrating seamless, joint combat capabilities. Approximately 15,000 U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces' skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control, and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dylan Lavin)

COLD BAY, ALASKA (May 10, 2021) A U.S. Marine Corps High Mobility Artillery Rocket System assigned to HIMARS Detachment, Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, stages in preparation to load U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 79 assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, at Cold Bay, Alaska, in support of Northern Edge 2021. U.S. service members are participating in a joint training exercise hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces May 3-14, 2021, on and above the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, the Gulf of Alaska, and temporary maritime activities area. NE21 is one in a series of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command exercises designed to sharpen the joint forces’ skills; to practice tactics, techniques, and procedures; to improve command, control and communication relationships; and to develop cooperative plans and programs. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Sarah Stegall)