Heavy armor in amphibious raid...an unknown UK capability.

A Challenger 2 Tank storms ashore from a Royal Marine Landig Craft during an amphibious capability demonstration in Hampshire.

Members from the 1st Mechanized Brigade were involved in the Maritime Component Power Demo held at Browndown Beach, Gosport on the 28th October 2010. The event took place in October 2010 for the ISCC (Immediate Staff Command Course) which involves Royal Marines coming a shore along with members from the Royal Welsh Regiment.  NOTE: The captions for the following pictures is the same.

 

Remember this raid that the Royal Marines carried out in 2011?

The commandos carried out a dramatic amphibious landing using Viking armoured vehicles launched from landing craft, according to the Daily Mail.

Heavily-armed personnel from 539 Assault Squadron pushed deep inland through the lawless zone to seize the influential clan chief.

He was taken off for talks with MI6 and Foreign Offfice officials aboard a Royal Navy support ship ancored off the coast, centring on issues such as terrror training camps and the seizing of hostages.

The raid in July was the first time British forces have conducted a military operation in the troubled area in 40 years, according to the Mail.

Special Forces have been focusing on the region amid a rise in ships seized offshore by pirates for ransom, the kidnap of citizens from Western countries, and the threat of the Al Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab terror group.

Well I personally always wondered why the British never deployed any heavy armor from their amphibious ships.  Little did I know.  They have the capability.  Its organic to the British Army and as the USMC has demonstrated, even a Tank Platoon retains shock action...especially in a mechanized raid scenario.

If the British Army is looking for work in the post Iraq/Afghanistan world, it might be to send detachments out with the Royal Marines!

NavAir year in review.

Busy day for F-35 news...now this from the 2nd Marine Air Wing...

Check out this blurb from the 2nd MAW....

2ND MAW TO REVOLUTIONIZE MARINE AVIATION WITH F-35B
By Lance Cpl. Andrea Dickerson
MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - In keeping with its highest traditions, Marine Corps aviation has been and will continue to expand throughout the next year.
In order to continue to be the nation’s expeditionary force in readiness, the Marine Corps has introduced the F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter as the newest aircraft intended to hit the fleet, and contribute to the expansion of the Corps’ arsenal of aircraft.
The single engine, single seat, short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft will replace older F/A-18 Hornets, AV-8B Harriers and EA-6B Prowlers, allowing close air support in hazardous conditions and locations that more traditional aircraft would not be able to access. The new aircraft will also be used to assist the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.
To provide close air support, the F-35B can operate from amphibious warships. In October, the Corps’ test fighter BF-2 performed the first successful at-sea vertical landing when it landed on the flight deck of the USS Wasp as part of initial ship trials of the aircraft.
“The first at-sea vertical landing is a huge milestone,” said Roger Cordell, military site director for F-35 test and evaluation at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
The F-35B has performed more than 250 vertical landings this year, 72 of which happened aboard the USS Wasp.
“The Marine Corps has to be ready to fight across the spectrum of war; a force that is most ready when the nation is least ready,” said Maj. Gen. John M. Davis, commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. “The F-35B gives us the capability to do just that.”
Second MAW is expected to receive its first F-35B in early January at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where the Marine Corps stood up Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 501. The Warlords are the Marine Corps’ first Joint Strike Fighter squadron.
“The arrival of the F-35B at the Marine Corps’ first F-35 squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501, is truly a monumental event for the Corps and our nation,” said Davis.

So.


VMFAT-501 just got its first airplane.  Training IS going ahead as scheduled!

Timerplake knocked them "the fuck out"!

I'm trying to step away from the F-35 drama.  Not worth the special olympics fight in my opinion.  But wouldn't you know it!  The minute I try and readjust, we have the big boys of the blogging community throwing away the niceties and getting busy.  I love it...Check this out from SLD and go there for the whole thing...

In a recent personal attack on Dr. Carafano of the Heritage Foundation, Thomas Christie, Pierre Sprey, Chuck Spinney and Winslow Wheeler wander out of the Platonic cave to argue once again against new aircraft.

Oh and it just gets better from there.  Like I said, read the whole thing and grab some popcorn cause I think this is just the opening shots! 

BF-7 in VMFAT-501(School House) Markings...yeah even more F-35 porn.

Much has been said about when the USAF will begin training on the F-35.  The Marine Corps has been silent.  BF-7 took its first flight in school house markings and there is a full complement of Marines waiting to begin work on the plane.  Something tells me that at least for the Marines, its full speed ahead on the training schedule.  Another thing to consider is that the Royal Navy is anxious to begin training too.  Maybe (remember I am saying maybe) we're seeing a foreign boost to the program from our UK allies?

Yugoslovia's secret space program.

IF this is true then holy shit batman!

What is the CNO thinking????

Wow.  This story from National Defense blew me away....

“It’s not a big naval buildup in the Far East,” Greenert said at an Jan. 10 forum hosted by the Center For New American Security, in Washington, D.C. “We’re there. We have been there. We’ll continue to be there.”

Greenert’s assessment is that the Navy as currently deployed could handle China as it flexes its muscles. Budget cuts and the new strategic guidance document rolled out by the Obama administration “won’t affect operations in Southeast Asia,” Greenert said.

Amazing.

This guy has a Navy that keep its ships repaired.

Has an Amphibious Ready Group that is setting records for its deployment length.

Has an LCS that is half baked and not quite ready for prime time (mainly looking at you Austal).

Has an issue with whether or not it needs 11 carriers...

And this guy takes the opportunity to possibly get greater funding for his service and chucks it?

Words cannot express.

More F-35 porn...

I luv it...but I also get a little nervous when they do pic dumps like this.  I'm always wondering...uh oh...what bad news is about to come down the pike now!...anyway enjoy.

Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 in Afghanistan.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Zachary Hughes, weapons tactics instructor, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, observes Lance Cpl. Madison DeLoach operate a .50-caliber machine gun, Helmand River Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2011. DeLoach operated the .50-caliber machine gun during flight operations with the guidance of Hughes. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marines of 1st Radio Battalion, 2D Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), load onto a CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopter of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363) during a routine flight operation, Forward Operating Base Edinburgh, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. HMH-363 conducted flight operations in support of troops throughout the Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Madison DeLoach, crew chief, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363), observes the terrain during a routine flight operation, Helmand River Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. HMH-363 conducted flight operations in support of troops throughout the Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Madison DeLoach, crew chief, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363), observes the terrain during a routine flight operation, Helmand River Valley, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. HMH-363 conducted flight operations in support of troops throughout the Helmand Province. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

U.S. Marines of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363 (HMH-363) conduct an end of day assessment on a CH-53D Sea Super Stallion, Camp Bastion, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Jan. 5, 2012. End of day assessments are conducted after flight operations ensuring aircraft of HMH-363 are ready to support future missions. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert R. Carrasco/Released).

Latest F-35 porn.

F-35B test aircraft BF-3 flies with the weapon bay doors open on Dec. 19, 2011

F-35B test aircraft BF-5 completes its first vertical landing at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., on Jan 5, 2012.

F-35B test aircraft BF-1 flight in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode on Jan. 5, 2012.

F-35B test aircraft BF-3 flies with the weapon bay doors open on Dec. 19, 2011.

Bell Helicopter makes an idiot move.

How stupid can a company be?

One of your products that's sold to the US Marine Corps is highlighted in a very popular game.

Instead of saying "glory...glory..glory" and pass the beer, they instead launch a law suit and demand that the game remove the depiction from the video game.

Read the insanity here.

Army NG leads half the way.

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 158th Infantry Regiment, Arizona Army National Guard, participate in wartime operation exercises at the Florence Military Reservation, Jan. 7.

This soldier is halfway there.

Camo firearm.  Check.

Camo mags.   Check.

Black slings and other gear.  Big no-go.

Someday, somehow, you'll see the Infantry Branch of the US Army and Marine Corps get the brilliant idea to outlaw black equipment and accessories.

Until then we have effective camouflage that's defeated by our weapons and accessories.

The GCV is dead. Long live the Bradley Family of Vehicles?

The Army is facing a reduction in manpower and since the justification for a Ground Combat Vehicle(GCV) was always weak sauce, it looks like BAE is properly positioned to capitalize on this by moving forward with the Bradley Family of Vehicles.

Looks like upgrades instead of new builds will be the order of the day for Ground Vehicles and Ground Forces.



Informative video but they glossed over the General Purpose Carrier.  I'm digging for more info now.

F-35C scratched? Wouldn't that be ironic!

ELP has an article up in which he talks about the F-35C and comes to the conclusion that the F-35C might get cancelled.  I don't know if that's entirely true and you can read the article for yourself...but wouldn't that be ironic?

Several months ago, everyone and their mothers were talking about the B model being cancelled.  I always disagreed with that thinking and always thought that the C model was in the danger zone.

What makes me say that?

*the US Navy basically shoved the F-35C down the throats of Marine Air...
*even if full production was done the only customers for the C would be the USN, USMC and RN...
*and lastly, the USN doesn't and never has appeared enthusiastic about the F-35C...to be honest they appear fired up about growth variants of the Super Hornet and they're not even warm about the X-47B.

Having said all that the B should have a longer production run than the C and as much as me and ELP disagree (he has a hard on for the Corps that I'll never understand) he MIGHT...just MIGHT...have a point.

Failure captured in a picture.

Take a look at the above pic.  If that doesn't illustrate the failure of the JIEDDO.  Two Marines are dismounted sweeping a road for mines.

Meanwhile behind them are Force Protection Cougar(?) and Oshkosh M-ATV MRAPs.

No protection.

Nothing.

Just two brave Marines walking the ground because some bureaucrats didn't do the job.

Pathetic.

Rationalizing Special Ops. A look at roles.

The SecDef and the President have all called for expanding the number of Special Operations Units that we have.  Question that no one wants to face is this.

Why and how will you employ those units?

Looking at the lineup of Special Operations Units you will see nothing but overlap in roles and mission sets.

*US Army Rangers-  Raid specialist.  Provide backup to other Special Ops Units.
*US Army Special Forces- They used to be trainers of indigenous forces and would lead those forces in actions against the enemy.  Thats changed.  Training indigenous forces is now a conventional skill set and Special Forces is a raid unit.
*US Navy SEALs- Raid specialist that operate from the sea.  I don't know if they've given up the mission of recon, but its painfully apparent that its raiding thats a primary focus.
*USAF Combat Controllers- Provide terminal guidance for air forces.  Act as pathfinders for air assaults.
*USAF Combat Weathermen- Provide weather information at the site of a raid, air assault or bombing mission.
*USAF Para-rescue- Recovery of downed personnel or Special Ops and provide medical treatment.
*USMC Special Ops- Raid specialist that operate from the sea.  All indications are that recon is a distant second mission set.
*US Navy SWCC- Provide transport to Navy SEAL teams or other Special Ops units.
*160th Night Stalkers- Provide transport to Special Ops units.
*USAF Special Ops Air Wing- Provide transport to Special Ops units.

Do you get the drift?

Every one of our special ops trigger pulling units is now focused on raiding.  Everyone.  Even US Army Special Forces that once had language requirements and areas of specialization have given that up to focus on raids.  All of them train for ship boarding ops.  All train for hostage rescue.

But the main focus is raids.

Ideally, we would rationalize Special Ops into fewer units.

Raids- US Army Rangers

Maritime Ops- US Navy SEALs/Force Recon

Special Ops full spectrum missions- US Army Special Forces

That would stream line Special Ops, remove it from being a separate service and would push these units back underneath the custody of their parent service.

Or more precisely under the command of the secretary of each service.

I still don't see a need for USAF Combat Controllers, Weathermen or Para-rescue.  Each one of these units have Pathfinder qualified personnel and SEAL/Force Recon/Ranger/Special Forces trained Corpsmen/Medics.

I see a need to keep the 160th as currently composed but will need to learn more about the "Best Kept Secret" in the Navy (SWCC).  Not sure about the USAF Special Ops Air Wing either but need to learn more.

As a sidenote, I would think that if the USMC is forced to go below 175,000 boatspaces then any idea of expanding USMC Special Ops is probably a non-starter.

Additionally, the USMC still needs deep recon and since Force is gone, I highly recommend that our SNIPER platoons be tasked with the mission.  No raiding, just recon and shooting.

Time to rationalize Special Ops. SWCC's as an example.

Curious.

With the call to increase the number of Special Ops Forces, I wonder why we don't see them engaging in some of the issues that are facing the nation and the world.

I'll use SWCC's as an example.

I realize that SWCC's are Navy SEALs and other Special Ops waterborne insertion force but what about other issues like anti-piracy ops?  It would make more sense to use them against the pirates than a DDG-51.

Additionally if there role expanded then would it make sense to combine Riverines with SWCC?  I know I'm talking blasphemy to the SWCC community but we've seen Special Ops and Regular forces with similar skill sets combined before...most notably UDT and SEALs. As a sidenote, I still don't understand the differences between Navy EOD (which was once part of SOCOM) and SEALs especially in light of the fact that UDT and EOD perform the same mission.

Its time to rationalize Special Operations if we're going to expand them.  We have too many units performing the same mission sets.  Throwing more bodies at a problem is NOT suppose to be how its done.  It seems like that's where we're headed though.

Too funny..Getting dusted...

Commentary from the YouTube'er but check out the guy next to the airplane...and his dog...

I was sitting at the Ocotillo Wells Airport on 1640 05Jan2012 watching the U.S.M.C performing some touch and goes with a couple of V-22 Ospreys when a local old guy went onto the make shift flight line to tell the Pilot and his crew how he felt about the dust storm they were causing when the Pilot decided he wasn't going to hear it... I'm sure he took off for the safety of the old dude however it looked REAL BAD... That dog was shitting it's self for about 30min...

UK's defense centered on carrier aviation???

Check out this story from Defence Tech but check out this blurb...

“We are committed to purchasing the carrier-variant and the regeneration of our carrier strike force is at the heart of our defense strategy. We believe it will bring a big gain for NATO and potentially be a big relief to U.S. efforts in the European sphere. We’ve worked with the French to ensure that we will have a European carrier capability [that’s] always available. But of course, we are concerned that any slippage in production or any reduction in U.S. numbers will have an impact [on cost] and with budgets very tight, we’ll be watching very close any movement in the predicted unit costs.”

My take away's...

1.  The UK is solidly behind the F-35C despite public pressure.
2.  The UK appears to be going back to its maritime roots.
3.  The costs of the F-35 is a concern on both sides of the Atlantic and the Pacific...probably less in the Pacific but a concern none the less.
4.  Delays are going to be fought by partner nations.  This will become a sticking point.
5.  Looks like Loren was right.  Weapon sales are part of the new diplomacy.

Pics of the day...