Royal Air Force begins its death spiral in earnest.

from Alert 5 via the Daily Telegraph.

Up to 100 student pilots will be told the news on Tuesday with some of them only a few hours away from becoming fully qualified to fly fighters, helicopters and transport aircraft.

The cuts will mean the waste of an estimated £300million already paid for training the pilots, plus the cost of redundancies. The training of RAF pilots can cost up to £4million a man.

There are fears that the sackings will lead to a shortage of helicopter and transport pilots on the front line in Afghanistan.

Tomorrow, one in four of the 400 student pilots will be taken aside to be told their commissions have been terminated when Air Vice Marshal Mark Green, the head of RAF training, visits each of the three flying schools.

Up to 20 trainee fast jet pilots, 30 helicopter pilots and 50 air transport pilots will be axed, The Daily Telegraph understands.

Well that's that.  They're cutting muscle and the future of the force from the budget now.  I wonder why they couldn't just reduce by attrition?

CB-90 in US action.

Marcase sent me these photos. Thanks guy.

Funny thing is I remembered seeing them but just couldn't place...a quick Google and what do I find?

A Huffington Post article on a bio-fueled combat boat.

The US - freaking - Navy is testing bio-fueled boats instead of trying to get its act together when it comes to littoral combat.  Yes, I've heard the stories about US Military fuel usage but still....AMAZING.  A low density asset that should be off the coast of Africa chasing pirates is instead in San Diego taking glamour shots....AMAZING!

Let's get serious about Littoral Combat.

Mike over at New Wars first proposed this ... and now that he no longer blogs it up to me to carry out his cause.  The LCS isn't about getting serious about Littoral Combat (LC).

Mission modules aren't about getting serious about LC.

Fire Scouts aren't about getting serious about LC.

Putting enough boats in the water with trained personnel is getting serious about LC...the CB-90, along with detachments of Marines...operating with attack helicopters ---all deployed from mission specific LPD-17's or LHD's is getting serious about LC.

Yes, the above video is promotional.

Yes its a fanciful demonstration of the CB-90's capabilities...but a look at the island chains in the Pacific...along with the current threat of piracy points to one direction.

Our efforts at LC are woefully inadequate, improperly resourced and missing what's needed to win the future.  The CB-90, with a Marine Corps with one foot in the water is exactly whats needed.

If we can't win the Piracy "war" against rag tag fleets of boats operated by criminals then how are we going to defeat an enemy that uses this tactic in asymmetric warfare against us?

Have you seen this video about Port Security?

Eye opening isn't it?

How did a light helicopter become the Navy's workhorse.

Lets take a stroll down memory history lane.  During the 1950's  the US Navy became alarmed by the threat to its carriers posed by Soviet Subs.  The solution for the close in fight and to work with anti-ship frigates was a light multi-purpose helicopter...the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite.  The heavy helo was the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King.  Both helicopters served world wide and side by side for years.  The latest example retired just a few years ago.

In the interim though, the SH-60 has gone on to become the primary helo of the US Navy.  A mistake.  With the turn toward littoral combat and the need to keep enemy subs at bay, a larger more sophisticated helicopter is needed with the range to be a real shield against enemy subs.

The AW-101 is just such a helicopter.  I am becoming more and more convinced that the MV-22 while unique and capable is too niche a vehicle to suitably fit the Marine Corps needs into the future.  What is needed is a jack of all trades that is affordable, capable and able to not only back stop the UH-1Y but also the MV-22 and at times even the CH-53.  The Marine Corps has had the luxury of having the CH-46 continue on in service for the past few years while the MV-22 came online.  This "breathing space" is about to come to an end.  If the Navy can be convinced to buy the AW-101 with the Marine Corps buying a squadron or four along with them then the buy should be an easy sell.  Money projected to buy more MV-22's can be reprogrammed for this new purchase with the end result being more helos purchased and more robust Marine Amphibious Units being deployed (yeah I know its Marine Expeditionary Units but I'm campaigning for a name change...the term "Expeditionary" has been bastardized and is no longer relevant).


AW-101 Utility

Pic of the day. Feb. 12, 2011.

F-22 Raptor 4173 takes off from Lockheed Martin’s Marietta, Ga., facility on its delivery flight to Langley Air Force Base, Va., Jan. 27. Lockheed Martin has delivered 173 of a total of 195 Raptors to date.

No Sheepdogs in New York and Wolves run crazy.

via First People-Wolves

I don't know your politics on an armed citizenry.  But you can't tell me that this tragic story couldn't have been cut short if just one of those victims was armed, trained and fought back.

My only surprise in this is that we don't see even more lunacy of this type.  via CNN.

(CNN) -- A New York man fatally stabbed three people, slashed at least five others, hit and killed one man with a car and hijacked two vehicles before being wrestled to the ground early Saturday while trying to break into the cab of a subway car, police said.
Maksim Gelman, who is unemployed and known to authorities mostly as a graffiti artist, was arrested aboard a northbound train in Manhattan around 9 a.m. Saturday, about 28 hours after he allegedly began a spree that spanned three New York City boroughs, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said.
"It's so horrendous and bizarre," Kelly told reporters Saturday afternoon. "We have no reason that we can give you as to why he did this."

Read the whole thing here.  Please comment, I want your opinions--especially from those readers in the East and West Coasts of the US and those in Europe.

509th Airborne Regiment 'gets some' at Cobra Gold.

PULON RANGE, Kingdom of Thailand-The barrel of an M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon smolders between bursts as soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, lay down suppressive fire along with Thai forces in live-fire training Feb. 11, 2011. The mission was part of Exercise Cobra Gold 2011, a regularly scheduled joint, multinational exercise designed to ensure regional peace and stability. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Winstead/Released)
, Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Winstead, 2/10/2011 7:00 PM

PULON RANGE, Kingdom of Thailand-Thai and U.S. forces maintain radio communication with the flanking infantry element as they lay down suppressive machine gun fire for a joint training exercise Feb. 11, 2011, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2011. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Winstead/Released), Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Winstead, 2/10/2011 7:00 PM

PULON RANGE, Kingdom of Thailand-A 60 mm high-explosive round fires from the tube of an M-224 Company Mortar System as the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, gun team readies the next shot Feb. 11, 2011, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2011. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Winstead/Released)
, Staff Sgt. Matthew E. Winstead, 2/10/2011 7:00 PM

Thailand and American Marines Conduct Mechanized Raid.

AAV CAMP, Kingdom of Thailand-Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit search Marines playing the role of enemy combatants after securing a building during a mock mechanized raid, Feb. 11. The raid, part of exercise Cobra Gold 2011, was a bilateral event between Royal Thai and U.S. Marines. Thailand is one of the United States’ five major non-NATO treaty allies in the region, and the partnership has helped keep this region secure and stable., Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 2/11/2011 10:08 AM

AAV CAMP, Kingdom of Thailand-Amphibious assault vehicles of the Kingdom of Thailand roar towards an objective being secured by U.S. Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and Royal Thai Marines in a bilateral mechanized raid during exercise Cobra Gold, Feb. 11. The Marines of both nations partnered in the ship-to-shore amphibious movement to complete their assigned mission of raiding an objective using forcible entry from the sea. The 31st MEU is participating in the 30th anniversary of Cobra Gold, one of the largest annual land-based exercises in the world., Capt. Caleb Eames, 2/11/2011 9:16 AM

AAV CAMP, Kingdom of Thailand-An Amphibious assault vehicle with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, roars towards an objective being secured by Marines of the 31st MEU and Royal Thai Marines in a bilateral mechanized raid during exercise Cobra Gold, Feb. 11. The Marines of both nations partnered in the ship-to-shore amphibious movement to complete their assigned mission of raiding an objective using forcible entry from the sea. The 31st MEU is participating in the 30th anniversary of Cobra Gold, one of the largest annual land-based exercises in the world., Capt. Caleb Eames, 2/11/2011 9:18 AM

AAV CAMP, Kingdom of Thailand-Royal Thai and U.S. Marines discuss how to eliminate hostile forces firing on them from a building during a mock mechanized raid, Feb. 11. The raid, part of exercise Cobra Gold 2011, was a bilateral event between Royal Thai and U.S. Marines. Thailand is one of the United States’ five major non-NATO treaty allies in the region, and the partnership has helped keep this region secure and stable., Lance Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 2/11/2011 10:00 AM-- note ---if you enlarge the picture and take a look at the Marine Corps Captain in the middle of the photo, you'll see that the guy appears to be hurting bad.....Seriously, he looks almost ready to pass out..SNAFU!

Rob Curtis at Military Times GearScout has me cheering for bunnies.

Tactically proficient bunny rabbits...too funny!

VX-31 Centennial Super Hornet..

Air Test and Evaluation Squadron THREE-ONE (VX-31) F/A-18 legacy Hornet awaits departure from the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, Ca. to join the kick-off celebration of the Centennial of Naval Aviation (CONA) on Friday, Feb. 11 at Naval Air Station, North Island, Ca.

USMC Tanks head towards Northern Helmand Province...

All photos credited to LCPL Kenneth Jasik

Marines with 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), provide security during a combat logistics patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb 2. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), escorted the tank platoon to northern Helmand province where the tanks will assist coalition forces in securing the area.

Marines with Bravo Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), along with Marines with 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), travel through the desert during a combat logistics patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb 2. Marines with CLB-8, 1st MLG (FWD), escorted the tank platoon to northern Helmand province where the tanks will assist coalition forces in securing the area.

Marines with 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), provide security during a combat logistics patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb 2. Marines with Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), escorted the tank platoon to northern Helmand province where the tanks will assist coalition forces in securing the area.

Marines with Bravo Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), along with Marines with 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), travel through the desert during a combat logistics patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb 2. Marines with CLB-8, 1st MLG (FWD), escorted the tank platoon to northern Helmand province where the tanks will assist coalition forces in securing the area

Marines with Bravo Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 1st Marine Logistics Group (Forward), along with Marines with 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division (Forward), travel through the desert during a combat logistics patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb 2. Marines with CLB-8, 1st MLG (FWD), escorted the tank platoon to northern Helmand province where the tanks will assist coalition forces in securing the area.

First Serial Production "HAD" Tigre Helicopter.

My issue with wheeled IFVs.

Above you see an advertisement of the Paramount Group's new IFV called the Mbombe. 

Yes it has MRAP type protection.

Yes it mounts a high powered remote controlled cannon.

Yes it carries a full infantry section.

Yes its almost as long as a bus!

Tracked vehicles are more compact, and there is no longer a weight advantage with wheels.  The worm has turned and tracks are many times lighter.

If by chance the legacy M-113 could be updated to be mine protected, retain its amphibious ability (lost in the later iterations of it) and still be able to keep up with M1 Abrams then it would be the perfect vehicle.

Somehow we've gotten stuck on a false limb of vehicle development.

Armored Cars are not IFVs and thats what Wheeled IFVs actually are.

Armored Cars with improved weapons and armor.

Expeditionary Fire Support System goes to war...

1/24/2011 By 1st Lt. Jason Ballentine

26th MEU

An Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) belonging to F Battery 2/12, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 2, is being towed by a Mine Resistant Armor Protected vehicle aboard Combat Outpost Ouellette, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 29, 2011. This is the first time that EFSS has been employed in Afghanistan. Elements of 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed to Afghanistan to provide regional security in Helmand Province in support of the International Security Assistance Force.

1/28/2011 By 1st Lt. Jason Ballentine

26th MEU

An Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS) belonging to F Battery 2/12, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 2, is being towed by a Mine Resistant Armor Protected All-Terrain Vehicle aboard Combat Outpost Ouellette, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 29, 2011. This is the first time that EFSS has been employed in Afghanistan. Elements of 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed to Afghanistan to provide regional security in Helmand Province in support of the International Security Assistance Force.

2/5/2011 By Gunnery Sgt. Bryce Piper

26th MEU

U.S. Marines with Battery F, Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/8, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Regimental Combat Team 2, fire the Expeditionary Fire Support System 120mm Mortar at Combat Outpost Ouellette, Helmand province, Afghanistan, Feb. 5, 2011. The fire mission was in support of Marine snipers protecting villagers from Taliban murder and intimidation in the area. Elements of 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed to Afghanistan to provide regional security in Helmand province in support of the International Security Assistance Force.

Did the Obama administration get punked???

By now you've read the stories...Mubarak was suppose to step down today.  He didn't.  President Obama made a speech earlier today almost proclaiming that "change" was near in Egypt.

My question is this.

Did US intelligence contacts in Egypt publicly punk the Obama administration?

What do I mean by that?

Did they purposely tell US contacts that Mubarak was going to step down in order to gauge the Washington reaction?

I'm betting they did.

Prediction.

Bloodshed in the streets and this rebellion will be forcefully put down.

Recommended Weekend Recreation..

The Eagle...no chick flicks for SNAFU! readers.  You're going to have to take her on a "date" night so you might as well check out something war like.

Experimental Fighters from the '60s...Part 2.

I'm still on my historical aviation kick.  In keeping with that mood I present three more examples of what I believe is aviation excellence.  The F8U-3...an airplane that by all rights was more capable than the F-4 Phantom yet died an undeserved death due to politics...The Avro Arrow...another victim of politics and a government that was short sighted.  Imagine a robust and capable Canadian aviation industry today if this project had continued!  And finally the TRS-2.  Another victim of politics dressed in the form of White Paper studies.  

I am by no means an aviation expert but the Arrow and the TRS-2 appear competitive even today...add modern engines to the basic airframes in addition to cutting edge avionics and you have airplanes that would still fulfill their basic missions.

I don't know how, I don't know why but we seem to have lost something that our predecessors had in bunches...imagination and the ability to make it work.   

Vought XF8U-3 Crusader III

Avro Arrow

And finally...one airplane to make Sweetman weep softly, bang his head against his desk, reach for the Black Velvet (click here for the description) to comfort him and finally go simpering to bed in agony...

The BAC TRS-2...

Pic of the day. Feb. 10, 2011.

HAT YAO, Kingdom of Thailand - Royal Thailand Marines, along with infantry Marines with the Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Forward, III Marine Expeditionary Force, assault the beachhead here in an amphibious assault raid Feb. 10, 2011, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2011. Cobra Gold 2011 is a regularly scheduled multinational training exercise designed to improve partner nation interoperability. (Official U.S. Marine photo by Pfc. Mark W. Stroud/Released)

HAT YAO, Thailand - Cpl. Joff Carroll, firepower control team leader, 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade Forward, III Marine Expeditionary Force, provides security during an amphibious assault raid here Feb. 10, 2011, during Exercise Cobra Gold 2011. Cobra Gold 2011 is a regularly scheduled multinational training exercise designed to improve partner nation interoperability. (Official U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Mark W. Stroud/Released)

110207-N-6692A-141 GULF OF THAILAND (Feb. 07, 2011) – Sailors launch amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) aboard USS Denver (LPD 9) for amphibious training operation during Cobra Gold (CG) 2011. CG11 is a regularly scheduled multinational exercise and is the latest in the continuing series of U.S. - Thai military exercises designed to ensure regional peace and stability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Geronimo C. Aquino /Released)

Happy Birthday 1st MARDIV