Sea King Rescue Helo...

You see it back there don't you???  Oh, the hottie's name is Helen Skelton...she's on some tv show....

Turn it up Tuesday....

Crank it up (unless you're in an office...lyrics not safe for work!)....

100 Flights For F-35B BF-4

RAF Sqdn. Ldr. Jim Schofiield was the pilot of F-35B BF-4 for Flight 100, which involved open weapon bay door  environmental testing with an AIM-120 on 22 March 2012.

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Leadership, troop griping and a lost Marine Corps.

Marines bitch.


Soldiers bitch.


Sailors bitch.


Airmen bitch.

Its all part of serving in the military.  But this article from the USNI blog has been bugging me for weeks.  Read it here, but check out this tidbit....

“Hey Lance Corporal So-and-So, how’s your day?”  “Oh, sir, you know, I haven’t seen my friends or family in 200 days, my old man just lost his job, my boots melted to the asphalt yesterday and I’m about to go on a four hour patrol in 120 degree heat on the most heavily mined city in the world – and that’s just the way I like it!!”
“You don’t say! Well, have a good patrol.”
And then, not being able to do anything about the weather or his father’s job, my platoon sergeant and I could go and put in the paperwork for some new boots.
The Marines now had a vehicle that they could use to voice honest concerns, worries and complaints and get some of that darkness off of their chest, and I not only had the benefit of hearing those complaints as their platoon commander (and thus could be a better steward to them) but also had the advantage of not having to hear their complaints as complaints – they were now, somehow, an aggressively positive affirmation of what Marines believe anyway.  That IS just they way we like it.
And so, in a world full of feel-goody false wisdoms and soft band-aid approaches to real problems, I recommend the actual “that’s just the way I like it”-wisdom of two pretty fascinating adventurers.  It worked for us in combat.  And it works for me today.
And in this way the philosophy of the Marine Corps, the traveling adventurers and Nietzsche are uniquely analogous…they did not promise us a rose a garden.  We didn’t get one.  And that’s just the way we like it.

I called the author on it because it bugged me so badly.

Ya know...mission accomplishment first, troop welfare second...

The commenters slammed me back...and hard....but it still bugged me.  I know that simply getting my men to say "that's the way I like it" doesn't seem like leadership to me and then I hit upon this quote from General Powell...

 Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.
Colin Powell

My big problem is this.

The blog isn't to blame.

But the readership is.  A leader can't solve every problem but he should put forth an effort.  Not gloss it over with a few words that cover up the issue.  If this is how the majority of leaders are responding to our Marines problems then no wonder my service seems lost now.

We are facing leadership failure from top to bottom.

God help my Marine Corps.

F-35 Night Refueling

Et tu General Allen?

General Allen is a Marine's Marine.

Hardcore.

Will look you in the eye and give you the bad news.

But this is hard to fathom....via Military.com

Marine Gen. John Allen told reporters at the Pentagon that he and other top leaders were doing their best to prevent so-called “green on blue” killings, but that the nature of counterinsurgency means fratricide could remain constant or even increase.
“The enemy is going to do all that they can to disrupt our operations and to disrupt the integrity of the government forces,” Allen said. “We should expect this.” He cited examples in Iraq, Vietnam and “historically” throughout counter-insurgency wars.
But he said the threat of attacks from allies would not derail what Allen believes is the steady progress in the war, and he praised the overall capabilities of today’s Afghan National Security Forces.
“They really are better than we thought they would be at this point,” he said. “More important, they are better than they thought they would be.”
Allen tried to stress the closeness of U.S. forces with their Afghan counterparts despite this season’s setbacks – he said many of the advisers that had been pulled from the Afghan ministries had returned, and talked about the closeness between American and local ground troops.

That my friends is utter bullshit.

The British just lost two more soldiers to attacks from Afghans.

They aren't better than we thought they would be at this point.  They're fucking pathetic.  They're illiterate, get high and since DADT is gone I won't tell you about another bad habit that they have.  


Oh and lets talk about advisers with the Afghans.  You have perimeters and then you have interior perimeters and then you have the rule of not turning your back on anyone that isn't a Westerner.

Geez.

You got bit by the politics bug too General.

A really sad day.

Dr. Thompson get rugged and raw on the critics...

via Forbes...

The tortured path of the Pentagon’s biggest weapon program is beginning to look like a case study in poor management.  The problem isn’t the F-35 fighter, which is making steady progress towards becoming the best tactical aircraft ever built.  The problem is a federal acquisition culture that has grown so risk-averse it no longer cares about long-term consequences.

That bureaucratic myopia will be in abundant display next month, when the Department of Defense releases updated cost estimates for the fighter program.  The estimates will reveal a modest increase in the cost of each plane, and Pentagon policymakers will repeat for the umpteenth time all of the heroic steps they have taken to rein in a wayward contractor.  But don’t expect them to take any responsibility for the cost increases because, after all, they’re the good guys.

If you follow the F-35 program closely, which almost nobody outside the Pentagon does, a different narrative emerges.  It is the story of what happens to major technology programs in a balkanized, distracted political system when there is no urgent danger to push them forward.  Bureaucratic and personal agendas fill the vacuum once occupied by the threat, and so programs seldom stay on track — leaving the nation unprepared when the next big threat appears.

Maybe you’re incredulous that the real reason the F-35 program has become so controversial is government behavior.  After all, I advise many of the companies involved in the program so I’m not objective, right?  Fair enough.  I’ll abandon generalities and provide concrete examples of what the Pentagon has done wrong (the examples aren’t hard to find). Here are six ways that the military acquisition system makes a bargain seem unafforbable.

Wow.  Read the whole thing but....Thompson NAILS it on all points.

I absolutely love it.

Somewhere I can see him sitting in his office feet on his desk, drinking a shot of whatever it is he drinks, pulling a long drag off his favorite cigar thinking boy, this is almost as good as me being able to walk up to one of those SMART ASS Aviation Writers and saying....

Sikorsky makes an offer NAVAIR better not refuse!

NAVAIR just received an offer from Sikorsky that it better not refuse...via Flight Global...

The US Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) is evaluating a proposal from Sikorsky to build four production-representative CH-53K Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopters, says the US Marine Corps' programme manager.
"We're looking at the proposal now," says Col Robert Pridgen.
NAVAIR received the proposal at the beginning of March, he says. A contract award is expected some time after this has been evaluated, although Pridgen says: "I don't want to nail down a date."
The four pre-production aircraft will be "fleet-representative" and be used for operational evaluations, as well to finish developmental testing.
The CH-53K is now scheduled to become operational in 2019 - one year later than previously slated - and the Marines hope to buy about 200 of the three-engined type.
When the programme first started, the service only wanted to buy 156 aircraft, Pridgen says. Initial operational capability was then set for late 2015, but the USMC upped the order and stretched the programme out by three years in August 2007. Production numbers were to have reached as many as 227, before they were trimmed back to 200.

A few points...

*The Marine Corps delayed this program in order to get its full compliment of MV-22's.  I have no issue with that airframe except one.  Its more tailored to what Special Ops needs and not the Marine Corps...except during the assault phase of a forcible entry or raid.  The CH-53K would fill that niche nicely.  We don't need more MV-22's...unless all we want to be is the ride to SOCOM and MY Marine Corps is better than that  Maybe not the Marine Corps that AMOS wants but my Marine Corps is more capable than just being perimeter guards and a taxi service to SOCOM.

*This offer is the cat's meow.  Four production representative airframes?  Isn't this the kind of thing the Pentagon's been pushing industry to do????

*Only the AAV upgrade and the MPC program are more important to the future of the Marine Corps than the CH-53K.  Not the F-35, not the JLTV and not any of the goof ball initiatives coming from HQMC.

Let's get this done.

Today!

CDR Salamander says it best.

When I heard that the President said this, I almost lost my mind!  If this doesn't make you want to punch walls then nothing will...

Unaware that a microphone was recording him, President Obama asked outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev Monday for breathing room until after Mr. Obama’s re-election campaign to negotiate on missile defense.

“On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved, but it’s important for him to give me space,” Mr. Obama told Mr. Medvedev at the end of their 90-minute meeting, apparently referring to incoming Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Medvedev replied, “Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you…”

“This is my last election,” Mr. Obama said. “After my election, I have more flexibility.”

The Russian leader responded, “I understand. I transmit this information to Vladimir.”

That my friends sounds like the talk of an enemy within.

That sounds like a man that is plotting against his own country with the leaders of another country.

This type of talk sounds like...well....treason.

But that's my gut reaction...CDR Salamander has a better take.  Read it over at his house.

Modest Proposal. Cancel remaining MV-22's and buy Battle Hawks!

My bold, yet modest proposal is simply this.

Cancel the remaining purchase of the MV-22, give the remaining slots to USAF Special Operations so that they can beef up there numbers of CV-22's...and start buying Sikorsky Battle Hawks instead.

We need a medium lift helicopter that provides true multi-mission flexibility.

The Battle Hawk fills the bill.

We already see the trend with the UH-1Y.

Instead of buying the full planned compliment of AH-1Z, the Marine Corps truncated the buy and bought additional (or is planning to) Huey's instead.

We should build on this and get Battle Hawks.

If distributed operations become a reality then we will need to get the biggest bang out of our limited number of airframes.

It only makes sense.

European SPIE Rigging. Maybe the USMC needs to look at this!

SPIE Rigging is...exhilarating.  But I've always wondered if it couldn't be done better.

If it is a practical form of insertion and extraction then I think the Europeans might have hit on something.

Watch the whole vid but pay special attention at the 3:35 point.

Why is the US Navy so desperate to sell the F-35C to the RN???

Reports have surfaced that the Ministry of Defense in the UK is vacillating between buying the F-35B and F-35C.  Proponents of the both airplanes have been very vocal in their support of their particular airplane.

Critics of course have been heard too.  Those "flat earthers" want the Royal Navy to buy a non-stealth airplane.  Doesn't matter which one as long as it isn't the F-35.

But check out these photos from JeffHead.com...and the potential F-35B customers worldwide.  Make note of all the LHA's that are being developed/constructed/planned in the pacific region.  Understand that this list isn't complete either.  Singapore has announced that its working on the Endurance 1600, an LHA class warship.

The US Navy is realizing too late that its concept of operation----the big deck carrier is facing a period of transformation.  The F-35B will outsell the F-35C.

Cavour Class Carrier.

22 DDH- Japan.

16 DDH - Japan.

Juan Carlos - Spain & Australia.

Dokdo Class - S. Korea.

And that of course doesn't include the 11 US Marine Corps LHA's/LHD's that will be as capable as many countries aircraft carriers..

Many slam the concept of STOVL operations but the evidence is clear.  

Expeditionary operations coupled with cost savings make it essential.

We might be witnessing the opening rounds of the end of the super carrier.

IDF Caterpillar D-9

The IDF Caterpillar D9 is an armed bulldozer used for repair work.

The Combat Engineering Corps is in charge of operating this machine. The 'Tzama' Unit- a specially designated unit within the corps specializes in the use of this equipment.
This drill was held near the Gaza border where most of the D9 work takes place. It's armored frame keeps the soldiers safe as they work along the Gaza border.

That caption that the IDF attached to these photos only tell half the story.

The Israeli's also use the Cat 9's in the offense in urban warfare.

It's brutally effective especially against dug in positions.  The dozer blade acts as additional armor against weapons.

Why we don't employ them in a similar manner in battles like Fallujah is beyond me but it would have saved lots of lives...that and less restrictive rules of engagement.

DDG-1000 future of Navy Surface Warfare???

The DDG-1000 is the future of the Navy's Surface Warfare Fleet.

No if's, and's or but's about it.

Or so says Elements of Power.

Which seems to bring us right back to the idea of maybe a family of modern warships based upon the DD(X)'s original objectives isn't such a bad idea after all? Is the Navy angling towards an eventual CG-1000 or just slouching their way to greatness?

 The Zumwalt's have significantly more room in their hulls for new or additional systems, and more power available to run them. modular weaponization, and long range guided artillery for when you need it. IMHO, it would be almost be worth it alone just to tweak the noses of people who can't stand or fear the 'Tumblehome' hull design.  

He hits on the main objection that many state when talking about the DDG-1000 (besides some not liking the idea of naval guns returning)...the tumblehome hull.

I don't know squat about naval architecture so I'll take his word for it.  But I HAVE seen videos of comparisons between the tumblehome and conventional hull designs and it does appear to be superior.  I'll wait and see but Elements of Power makes a strong case for the DDG-1000 actually delivering while we're seeing the LCS class falter.

Sea Services Celebrate the War of 1812...

Thanks for sending me this website/info Joe!  Keep'em coming....

Makes you wonder what's going on with the US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard doesn't it?  I don't mean to belittle our history.

Its as precious to me as it is to any American that pumps blood colored red, white, blue and Marine green.

What has me curious is who's picking up the bill on this?

Would we have been better served by cancelling these celebrations and preserving an active Marine Infantry Battalion or two instead?

Or how about we keep a couple of Cruisers instead?

Or buy the Coast Guard a few more Cutters?

Regardless...the site is here and the vid is below...

Spirits from the past talking....

Want to hear something spooky?

Chilling?

Hear this tape of B-52 aircrews over Hanoi during Linebacker II.

I can't imagine a more helpless feeling.

You can't fight back...You have to complete the bombing run...You can't influence the battle....all you can do is sit there and take the punches that the enemy is throwing...

I make fun of the wing, but air combat must suck.

General Dynamics....the snake in the room...

A good look at the General Dynamics website revealed some interesting things...

Who is making the Ocelot vehicle here in the States and offering it to the US Military?


Who bought the Jamma Internally Transportable Vehicle and is offering it to the USAF Special Ops?


Who is the only maker of a NBC detection vehicle?  And lastly...who has an Amphibious Combat Vehicle Center of Excellence that's been recognized by the US military at the end of 2011??

General Dynamics.

I wondered why all the vehicle manufacturers have been so tight lipped when it came to their products being produced for the upcoming Marine Corps competitions and now I know.

They're (BAE and Lockheed Martin and now ST Kinetics..) facing a formidable foe that already has its tentacles deep into the US military...When it comes to ground combat vehicles they're well placed

That's enough to explain the caution I see from those firms.

Time to see if General Dynamics will give up some info on the ACV, AAV upgrades and exactly what vehicle they're going to offer for the MPC competition.

Stay tuned guys...this will be cut throat...probably end in a price shootout and MIGHT feature a bit of industrial espionage.

This is gonna be good!

This is what Singapore packs into 3,000 tons.

Read it weep naval enthusiast.

The LCS is coming in at 3000 tons.

Its really a frigate but the Navy wouldn't dare call it that because it would immediately be compared to vessels around the world at the same weight class and would be found wanting.

No.

The Navy pulled a fast one and invented a new class of ship.  The littoral combat ship.

This is pure bullshit but the congress critters like it..

Compare that to what others are doing with 3000 tons on the open water and it makes you want to punch walls.  Take the Singaporeans for example.  They didn't fall for the mission module bullshit, they built a combat ship and will modify it as needed.  Let me introduce you to the Formidable class stealth frigate.

General characteristics
Type:	Frigate
Displacement:	3,200 tonnes (3,150 long tons; 3,530 short tons)
Length:	114.8 m (376 ft 8 in)
Beam:	16.3 m (53 ft 6 in)
Draught:	6.0 m (19 ft 8 in)
Installed power:	4× ISM V1708 diesel generators, each producing 800 kilowatts (1,070 shp)[1] Total output: 3,200 kW (4,290 shp)
Propulsion:	4× MTU 20V 8000 M90, each rated at 9,100 kW (12,200 shp)[2] (CODAD) Total output: 36,400 kW (48,800 shp)
Speed:	Maximum: 27 knots (50.0 km/h; 31.1 mph) Cruising: 18 kn (33.3 km/h; 20.7 mph)
Range:	4,200 nautical miles (7,780 km)
Complement:	71, excluding air crew detachment of approx. 19
Sensors and processing systems:	Search radar: Thales Herakles multi-function radar Navigation radar: Terma Electronic Scanter 2001 Sonar: EDO Model 980 active low frequency towed sonar (ALOFTS)
Electronic warfare and decoys:	ESM: RAFAEL C-PEARL-M Decoys: Sagem Défense Sécurité New Generation Dagaie System, 2× forward & 1× aft.
Armament:	Anti-ship: 8× RGM-84C Harpoon SSM Anti-air: MBDA Aster 15/30[3] launched from 4× Sylver A50 8-cell VLS Anti-submarine: EuroTorp A244/S Mod 3 torpedoes launched from 2× B515 triple tubes with reloads Guns: Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid gun (mounted in stealth cupola), 4× CIS 50MG 12.7 mm (0.50 in) HMG
Aircraft carried:	1× S-70B Seahawk multi-mission capable naval helicopter
Aviation facilities:	Flight deck and enclosed hangar for up to two medium-lift helicopters

Kinda makes you wonder what the hell the US Navy is thinking doesn't it?

The USMC Marine Personnel Carrier Contest so far.

Terrex 8x8...the new boy on the block

Patria AMV

Left off the photo list is the Super AV 8x8.

Think about the RFI for this program.

An off the shelf solution to for a wheeled 8x8 Marine Personnel Carrier.

In my basic way of thinking that eliminates the Super AV 8x8.  Also left off this list is the Piranha 3, the real monster in the room General Dynamics.

I just don't find the offering interesting and its a bit dated in its design concept.  It predates the Stryker and I'm not convinced that it will pass blast tests in its configuration as designed for the Brazillian or Spanish Marine Corps.

I personally feel that with the news that the Terrex 8x8 is now in the field that this is a two vehicle race.

The Terrex vs. the Havoc (AMV)

The Havoc is proven world wide, has a substantial following and is supported by the largest defense manufacturer in the US.

Its also been in the hands of Marines who have given it rave reviews.

The Terrex is a son of Singapore.  Its technologically advanced and if the Marine Corps follows the US Army in networking its forces (which would make nothing but sense) then the network capable Terrex would seem to hold an edge.

But all of this pales in comparison to a somewhat troubling fact to a traditionalist like myself.

WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THE AAV UPGRADE PROGRAM!

All these programs are being run out of the same office yet the only one that has any traction is the MPC.  The AAV upgrade is stuck in development quicksand and the Amphibious Combat Vehicle is locked away in a dungeon not to be seen.

Are we seeing a subtle hint that the future of Marine Amphibious ops is going to rest in the wheeled category?  Is the US Marine Corps going to follow a path that the Army left and is about to go majority wheeled?

I hope not.

The battles of the past show the fallacy of conventional landing craft in the Pacific.

Modern warfare shows that wheeled vehicles just lack the cross country mobility of tracked ones.  Heck, even combat in Afghanistan shows that sticking to roads is deadly!

More to come on these issues and the MPC contest.  Confidence is not high that HQMC will get this one right.

It's time for HQMC to experiment with this concept.

Its time.

We've seen the vids and the powerpoints.

We've talked about it forever and a day.

Its time for HQMC to return to its experimental roots and wargame this Maersk concept.   The ground work for WWII was laid by the work done between the wars.  We should be laying the foundation for our nations defense today...instead of worrying about seatbelts.


The potential looks amazing...time to put it to the test.