Too Sweet.

Thanks Mr. P!!!!

F-35 at sea

You can take it huh big man???

Bill (known as Apocalypse for the purposes of the above video) ran head long into Timperlake (aka Superman) in a furball that I somehow missed.

Follow the links for the juicy parts.

Man, you focus in on your workouts for a couple of weeks and the whole world passes right in front of you.  Read it here and here...

Israeli helicopters

An Israeli Air Force Apache helicopter lands across from a Greek mountain range during a joint Israel-Greece exercise with the Hellenic Air Force. These types of exercises are a central aspect of the Israel-Greece military cooperation.

Its unique abilities and precision weapons have led the Israel Air Force to use the Cobra helicopter to fight wars and hit targets during military operations. A difficult target for enemy fire, the Cobra is primarily used as an attack helicopter. Manufactured in the US, Israel has used the Cobra since the 1970's.

F-35B confounds its critics again.

Photoshop by Elements of Power Blogspot.

Well details are sparse but Marine Corps Times and Aviation Week are both reporting that the F-35B has again confounded its critics and has done what many hoped it wouldn't. It successfully started its sea trials.

Awesome.

Can't wait to read the comments from the haters!

Major league tip of the hat to Bjornar Bolsoy for the heads up.

Did a piece of shit Beretta cost this USAF Captain his life?

This is straight from Air Force Times.  Emphasis mine.

Captain posthumously awarded Silver Star

Scott Fontaine - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Oct 1, 2011 9:07:32 EDT

An officer who traded gunfire with a rampaging Afghan pilot earlier this year and was killed during the shootout was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
Miriam Nylander accepted the honor on behalf of her husband, Capt. Nathan Nylander, who was killed during an attack that claimed the lives of eight other Americans. Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the medal Sept. 24 at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., where Nylander served as a meteorologist with the 25th Operational Weather Squadron.
Nylander was deployed as an adviser with the NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan on April 27, when an Afghan Air Force pilot entered the air command and control center at Kabul International Airport and opened fire. Seven airmen and one American contractor were hit. Nylander was one of 12 people in an adjoining conference room; when he heard the gunshots, he moved to the door connecting the two rooms and helped evacuate everyone inside.
The officer had an opportunity to run to safety but chose to help his fellow airmen. He and another officer took up a firing position and shot at the gunman when he exited the air command and control center. The Afghan pilot was shot once and possibly twice, according to the narration that accompanied the Silver Star presentation.
Nylander stayed behind as the other airman left. Nylander and the gunman exchanged fire; the American was shot in the left thigh and received a grazing wound to his right thigh. He began bleeding heavily but continued to fire at the gunman.

Nylander’s 9mm pistol jammed. He managed to clear two rounds in his weapon, and the pistol’s final round was found jammed in the chamber. He tried to flee the building but was fatally shot.

“Of his own volition, Capt. Nylander chose to return to an extremely dangerous and unknown tactical situation and engage an attacker who had taken the lives of eight fellow Americans,” the narration reads. “After an initial exchange of gunfire, Capt. Nylander again chose to stay, with the likely intent of aiding the fallen. Capt. Nylander’s brave actions degraded the gunman’s capability and likely prevented further loss of life, including that of other U.S. personnel who remained in the AAF Headquarters.”

Just plain wow.

I never liked the Beretta's...just personal preference I guess.  But isn't it time to start buying new handguns?  Or how about we finally get on the ball and start issuing PDW's to all non-grunts instead of pistols.

Challis UAV's. Interesting and weird.

I wonder if they'll be able to make these work (check them out here)?  Posted on them previously but it looks like they're expanding the line to the Little Bird....be nice if they could make a manned version for Special Ops.

Sunday nite joke...

  An old Italian gentleman lived alone in New  Jersey .  He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard.  His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament: 

 Dear Vincent,  I am feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won’t be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I’m just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.  Love,  Papa  

A few days later he received a letter from his son. 

Dear Papa,   Don’t dig up that garden. That’ s where the bodies are buried.  Love,  Vinnie

At 4 a.m. The next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left.  That same day the old man received another letter from his son.  

Dear Papa,  Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now.  That’s the best I could do under the circumstances.  Love you, Vinnie

Harriers prove vital to 31st MEU

USS ESSEX, At sea-AV-8B Harriers with Marine Attack Squadron 214, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, sit on the flight deck aboard USS Essex, Sept. 29. The VMA was conducting this training in preparation for the MEU's upcoming Certification Exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Lance Cpl. Vernon T. Meekins, 9/29/2011 10:00 AM

USS ESSEX, At sea-AV-8B Harriers with Marine Attack Squadron 214, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, taxi down the flight deck aboard USS Essex, Sept. 29. The VMA was conducting this training in preparation for the MEU's Certification Exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Lance Cpl. Vernon T. Meekins, 9/29/2011 10:24 AM

 

 

USS ESSEX, At sea-An AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron 214, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is given the signal for takeoff aboard USS Essex, Sept. 29. The VMA was conducting this training in preparation for the MEU's Certification Exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Lance Cpl. Vernon T. Meekins, 9/29/2011 10:35 AM

USS Essex, At Sea, Pacific Ocean-As one AV-8B Harrier prepares for takeoff (foreground), another executes a vertical landing on the flight deck aboard USS Essex, Sept. 29. The Harriers are with the Marine Attack Squadron 214, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, and are conducting training in preparation for the MEU's Certification Exercise. The 31st MEU is the only continuously forward-deployed MEU and remains the nation’s force in readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Lance Cpl. Vernon T. Meekins, 9/29/2011 10:47 AM

A bargain for the nation...

Want to see a part of your government that actually works?  Check this out.

"The Corps draws off less than 8 percent of Pentagon spending, including Marine aviation funded through the Navy, Robling said. “For that piece of the budget, the nation gets 19 percent of its tactical helicopter force, 12 percent of its tactical fixed-wing aviation and 30 percent of its maneuver battalions,” he said, in a speech before the national sea services advocacy group."

Seems like anyone with common sense would want to see this type of saving/return on investment from all parts of the US government.

But no.

Instead they bitch.

AMAZING.

USS Pearl Harbor trains with MEU helicopters

Photos by Lance Cpl. Claudia M. Palacios

Sailors aboard landing ship Pearl Harbor unchain a CH-46 Sea Knight with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) here Sept. 30. The squadron serves as the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit embarked the USS Makin Island, the amphibious transport dock New Orleans and the dock landing ship Pearl Harbor in San Diego Sept. 28. The Unit is participating in its final exercise before deploying in November.

A CH-53 Sea Stallion with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) lands on the dock landing ship Pearl Harbor here Sept. 30. The squadron serves as the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit embarked the USS Makin Island, the amphibious transport dock New Orleans and the dock landing ship Pearl Harbor in San Diego Sept. 28. The Unit is participating in its final exercise before deploying in November.

Marines aboard USS Pearl Harbor unload a CH-46E Sea Knight with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) here Sept. 30. The squadron serves as the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit embarked USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego Sept. 28 for its final two week exercise before deploying in November. Photo by Lance Cpl. Claudia M. Palacios.

A crew chief sits on a CH-46E Sea Knight parked on USS Pearl Harbor here Sept. 30. The Marine serves with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), which is the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit embarked USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor in San Diego Sept. 28 for its final two week exercise before deploying in November.

Marine marksmanship at sea

Photos by Cpl. Chad Pulliam

Staff Sgt. Adam Najar, platoon sergeant with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force, clears the area behind him after firing upon a target during a live fire range on the flight deck here Oct. 1. Najar is a 25-year-old from Hesperia, Calif. The Marines with the unit are aboard the New Orleans for their final at sea exercise prior to deploying in November.

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force identify their targets during a live fire exercise aboard USS New Orleans Oct. 1. The Marines boarded the amphibious ship Sept. 28 in San Diego for their final exercise before deploying in November.

Bullet casings ejected from the rifles of the11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force litter the flight deck of USS New Orleans during a live fire exercise here Oct. 1. The unit boarded the amphibious ship for its final exercise before deploying in November.

Marines storm beach during Dawn Blitz

Photos by Cpl. Michele Watson

Marines storm Gold Beach in amphibious assault vehicles during Exercise Dawn Blitz, Sept. 30. The week-long training tests the capability to rapidly respond in the event of a crisis.

Seaman Dontay L. Stewart, a construction mechanic from the USS Bonhomme Richard, directs vehicles off a landing craft air cushion at Gold Beach on Camp Pendleton, Sept. 30. Landing support Marines provided guidance to troops, trucks and cargo debarking the LCAC.

Marines with 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion stormed the beaches of Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 30, to reinforce the Marine Corps tradition as a maritime force-in-readiness. In a joint effort with the Navy, the unique amphibious and expeditionary capabilities as America’s expeditionary fighting force were demonstrated.

The Navy and Marine Corps participated in a joint amphibious assault landing at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 30. As part of Exercise Dawn Blitz, the beach landing was a training mission to prepare service members for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

Marines with 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion conducted a landing at a Camp Pendleton, Calif., beach, Sept. 30 The exercise prepared Marine units to deploy forces quickly on short notice to any place in the world for a wide range of contingencies, from humanitarian aid and disaster relief to combat.

Marines and sailors participated in a beach landing during Exercise Dawn Blitz, Sept. 30. A sea-based approach provides a discrete, flexible and effective means of selectively engaging to build partnerships and respond to crisis and protect our national interests.

Marines with 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion stormed the beaches of Camp Pendleton, Calif., Sept. 30, to reinforce the Marine Corps tradition as a maritime force-in-readiness. In a joint effort with the Navy, the unique amphibious and expeditionary capabilities as America’s expeditionary fighting force were demonstrated.

Pic of the day....

Soldiers assigned to Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, seek out opposing forces in the rain during Urban Operations training at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Miss., Sept. 28, 2011. The brigade is deploying about 3,400 soldiers to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Photo by Spc. Kimberly Lambaption

Soft?

He must be talking about the people he's met...everyone I know is busting ass trying to be ready in case the balloon goes up and the economy tanks even more.

Deck Landings Onboard HMS Illustrious

Royal Air Force Chinook and Army Air Corps Apache helicopters are pictured practicing deck landings onboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.


Two Apache helicopters from 664 Squadron, Army Air Corps embarked for a two week training package, to enable pilots and ground crews to acclimatise to working in a maritime environment.


They were joined by a Chinook from 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force which flew out to the ship for a few hours deck landing practice.


Photographer: POA(Phot) RayJones

A CNO I can deal with...

Sorry guys but the last CNO rubbed me the wrong way...as does the outgoing CJCS.  I can't put an exact finger on it but they both appeared to be more politician than war fighter.  I don't know how the next guys will turn out but at least the new CNO is saying the right things.  Here's a tidbit from ID.  Go there to read the whole thing but this section caught my attention.

Guiding Principles

The starting point for developing and executing our plans

• Our primary mission is warfighting. All our efforts to improve capabilities, develop people, and structure our organizations should be grounded in this fundamental responsibility.
• People are the Navy’s foundation. We have a professional and moral obligation to uphold a covenant with Sailors, Civilians and their families * to ably lead, equip, train and motivate.
• Our approach should be Joint and combined when possible. However, we own the sea, and must also be able to operate independently when necessary.
• Our primary Joint partner is the U.S. Marine Corps. We must continue to evolve how we will operate and fight as expeditionary warfare partners.
• At sea and ashore, we must be ready to part with Navy roles, programs and traditions if they are not integral to our future vision or a core element of our mission.
• We must ensure today’s force is ready for its assigned missions.
• Maintaining ships and aircraft to their expected service lives is an essential contribution to fleet capacity.
• Our Navy Ethos defines us and describes the standard for character and behavior.
• We must clearly and directly communicate our intent and expectations both within and outside the Navy.
• I believe in the “Charge of Command.” We will train and empower our leaders with authorities commensurate with their responsibilities.

Its a little preachy.

Too wordy.

But this guy almost sounds like a grunt.

I like it.

“Dragons” of the 31st MEU fly aboard USS Essex

USS ESSEX, OKINAWA, Japan -A Sailor with Amphibious Squadron 11 guides an AH-1W Cobra helicopter with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, onto the flight deck of USS Essex (LHD 2), Sept. 28. The squadron flew onto USS Essex (LHD 2), joining the MEU for the deployment and upcoming certification exercises around Okinawa. The 31st MEU is the only continually forward-deployed MEU, and remains the nation’s force-in-readiness in the Asia-Pacific region., Cpl. Garry J. Welch, 9/28/2011 7:36 AM

David's coverage of the SION air show!

If you love warbirds and the new fast movers with a mix of European flavor then you'll go ape over David's coverage of the Sion air show.  Check it out here...and as usual he has some of the best aviation pics going...

172nd Infantry on patrol....

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Raymond Vetter of B Company, Task Force 1-71, 172nd Infantry Brigade and Command Sgt. Maj. Isaia Vimoto provide security during a dismounted patrol outside of Forward Operating Base Curry, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 20.

U.S. Army soldiers of B Company, Task Force 1-71, 172nd Infantry Brigade provide security during a dismounted patrol outside of Forward Operating Base Curry, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 20.

U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Raymond Vetter and Staff Sgt. James Wardle of B Company, Task Force 1-71, 172nd Infantry Brigade provide security during a dismounted patrol outside of Forward Operating Base Curry, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 20.

U.S. Army Sgt. Cirera of B Company, Task Force 1-71, 172nd Infantry Brigade and Afghan Border Patrolmen provide security during a dismounted patrol outside of Forward Operating Base Curry, Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 20.