Assault Breacher Vehicle.

Its been a while since we talked about the Assault Breacher Vehicle.  I don't know how well its performed in combat, if its considered an important part of future force structure...nothing.

Any info on it and how the Marines plan on using it is welcome.

Note*
I've seen the reports that the Army is planning (or rather has) buying/building some.  I'm also aware that the Marines are planning on having around 30 or so in the inventory.  What I'd like to know is if this vehicle is going to be part of MEU's.  If they are then how many are deemed necessary etc...

Did these guys just record themselves breaking gun laws?

I'm a strong proponent of the 2nd Amendment but this seems kinda 'iffy' in my mind.  Can you simply saw off the barrel and stock of a shotgun without running afoul of the law?

I'm really not sure.

I know that shotguns with pistol grips and 18 inch barrels are commonly sold.  I also know that you can buy aftermarket parts to pretty much configure your gun anyway you like but like I said...something seems off on this vid.

Having said all that, its a pretty silly thing to do to an old shotgun.  The tacti-cool thing is going too far.  They just ruined a good camp gun...wrapping everything in camo and calling it tactical is a fad that I wish would end.  Like today.

Our Afghan Allies are still trying to kill us.

via Military.com

WASHINGTON - In shootings not previously reported by American authorities, two U.S. soldiers were wounded in an attack by two Afghan police officers, extending a worrying pattern of violent clashes between supposed allies.
The two Americans were shot Wednesday by the Afghans near Kandahar city, and the shooters were quickly killed by U.S. troops, according to a U.S. defense official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an incident that, by policy, the coalition military command in Kabul considers an internal matter.
Spokesmen for the U.S.-led international military coalition in Afghanistan have said their policy is to publicly report only those incidents of Afghan forces shooting at coalition forces if a coalition member is killed. If coalition troops are wounded but not killed, or if the Afghan shooter fails to hit anyone, the incident is not disclosed.
About two hours after the two U.S. soldiers were wounded, a separate clash occurred in which an Afghan soldier opened fire with a machine gun on a group of U.S. and Afghan special operations soldiers returning to their base after conducting an operation, U.S. officials said.

Seriously?

Say this shit out loud.

Afghans that we're suppose to be training, that we've sacrificed for, that we've rebuilt there sorry ass country are now killing, wounding and taking pot shots at us?

If it was a comedy it wouldn't be funny.  Since this is real its beyond tragic.

Past time to leave that fucked up ass country.  THEY (the Afghan people) are NOT worth it.

PS.
Public Affairs Officers from the Marine Corps, Army, Navy and every alphabet US Agency can have Afghan children posing with Marines, Soldiers, Sailors or Airmen and it won't change a thing.  Humanitarians can cry about the plight of Women once we leave and it won't change a thing.  The Afgahn society is fried.  Millions of dollars and thousands of lives lost can't change that fact.

SNAFU! has a YouTube Channel.

I haven't broadcast it enough so I'll take the lumps for that.  But be advised Warriors!  SNAFU! has a YouTube Channel and maybe you might want to check it out.

NOTE*
Just click on the YouTube button to the right and it'll take you to my channel.

British Apache's at sea.

NAVAIR looked at the possibility of just creating an instant navalized Apache just by designation.

Unfortunately.  It doesn't work that way.

Aviastar has the best information on the web concerning the work necessary to make an Apache into a proper weapon at sea.  Forces like the Brits might be content to pay the price (and they will pay with aircraft having shorter life spans due to sea salt) but pay it they will.  Check out the article at AVIASTAR to get more info on a properly navalized Apache.

Mr. President I'm tired of defending you...SNAFU! Politics.

SNAFU! considers this coming election to be the most important in a COUPLE of generations.  So stand by to be reminded of the painful reality that comes with a left wing party being given power.  Also understand that this goes beyond race, nationality, gender or religious beliefs.  This goes straight to competence.  Also understand that my personal politics are more in the Ron Paul camp than those of the Republicans but reality (yeah that pesky little thing) indicates that I must support the lesser of two evils.  This year that means supporting the Republican cause.

Norway Pre-positioning Program...easy cost savings.

Humvees are stored inside the Frigaard Cave in central Norway. The cave is one of six caves that are part of the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway, which supports the equipping of Marine Expeditionary Brigade consisting of 15,000 Marines and with supplies for up to 30 days. Photo by Lance Cpl. Marcin Platek

This one should be a no brainer.

Europe doesn't need us there.

We don't have the money to waste there.  Time to pull gear and close up shop.  That goes for all bases on European territory...from Norway all the way to Diego Garcia.  If we're not wanted (and we're not) then bring our troops home.

5-20 Infantry Regiment doing its thing...with long range firepower on patrol.

U.S. soldiers from 5-20 infantry Regiment attached to 82nd Airborne walk on patrol in Zharay district in Kandahar province, southern Afghanistan April 26, 2012.

I don't know the designation for the sniper rifle that the Soldier is carrying but to see not only that weapon but I would assume their designated Marksman right behind him seems unusual.  Wonder whats going on in this part of the country.

On patrol... in every clime and place.

British insanity over their carriers.

Wow.

The Brits are definitely confused.

The most powerful political ad this year.

This is the most powerful political ad I've seen this year.  Even the President's most fevered supporters are left speechless after watching this...the Morning Joe pair were left clawing for words.  I consider that priceless.  Anyway, I'm sure you've seen it, but drink it all in again...and wonder how you're going to vote this fall.

AAI Corporation family of UAVs

F-35 going Transonic!

F-35C Formation Flight

45 Commando, Zulu Coy from the Royal Marines

Women in the Infantry. Did the Marine Corps just do an about face????

via Marine Times.

Expanded infantry training for women does not mean the Marine Corps is ready to send women into combat assignments, the Corps’ top personnel official said Wednesday
“Assignment policy for women has not changed,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Milstead Jr., the deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs.
“We are not training women to be infantry officers,” he said. “We do not have that authority. That authority rests with Congress.”
His comments came before the Senate Armed Services subcommittee on personnel, where the panel chairman is Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., a former Navy secretary and Marine combat veteran. Webb said the decision is controversial, and that he will be closely watching.
As Marine Corps Times reported last week, the service is in the midst of an extensive research effort to determine what additional jobs could be opened to women. Plans call for sending an undetermined number of female volunteers to the Infantry Officers Course, a three-month program in Quantico, Va., where Marine officers are groomed to serve in direct combat roles and lead troops into battle.

Read the whole thing at there site.

Ship to Ship replenishment. Are we doing it right?

Serious question.

Are we doing ship to ship replenishment correctly or perhaps better said are we doing it cost effectively?

Considering the high cost per flight hour of all our helos...Navy and Marine.  Considering the fact that these are finite resources that we should be guarding...should we be using our aircraft for these simple supply missions?

LCAC's are a no go because they are also a precious resource with high operating costs.  So perhaps a step down in technology...a bit of a reduction in speed but maybe we can get greater loads per trip would be to purchase fast Landing craft for this mission.  We could simply sail them into the well deck for most of our ships in the Gator Navy and for the rest we could still use the tried and true.

Its not a perfect solution but it should reduce costs, we should be able to get as much gear in two trips with a fast landing craft as we can with a series of helo flights and we should be able to save a ton of money.

Just wondering.

11th MEU. Battalion Landing Team 3/1 Heavy Guns live fire.

Photos by Cpl. Tommy Huynh

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 fire M240B machine guns during live-fire training April 24 aboard USS Pearl Harbor here. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, currently a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Lance Cpl. Anthony Acosta fires a M240B machine gun during live-fire training April 24 aboard USS Pearl Harbor here. The 22-year-old Phoenix native serves s as a mortarman for Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, currently a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

24th MEU in Spain. Grappling and the Obstacle Course.

All photos by Sgt. Richard Blumenstein

Cpl. Julian Valdez, a squad leader for 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, grapples with other members of his squad here, April 19, 2012, during a supervised Marine Corps Martial Arts Program squad vs. squad grappling match. The Marines spent the day engaging in a variety of training events before enjoying a much needed day off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Lance Cpl. Kyle Scales, a fire team leader, grapples Lance Cpl. James Rounds, a rifleman, while other Marines from Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pin Rounds' arms and legs here, April 19, 2012, during a squad vs. squad Marine Corps Martial Arts Program grappling exercise. The Marines spent the day engaging in a variety of training events before enjoying a much needed day off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, run an obstacle course here, April 19, 2012, during a day of training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Pfc. Ekrem Uysaler, a machine gunner with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leaps over a wall on an obstacle course here, April 19, 2012, during a day of training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Marines with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, overcome the last obstacle on the obstacle course here, April 19, 2012, during a day of training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Cpl. Jesse Buhler, an assaultman with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, makes his way across a horizontal bar on an obstacle course here, April 19, 2012, during a day of training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

A Marine with Charlie Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fast ropes from a rappel tower here, April 19, 2012, during a day of routine training before enjoying time off in Spain. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed as a theater reserve and crisis response force capable of a variety of missions from full-scale combat operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Wow. Yon takes it to a new level.

I've been trolled here.  Huron Serenity has made it his purpose in life to troll my site just to pump up his standings with his leaders in Air Power Australia and their allies Bill Sweetman and Bob Cox.

Cool.

I can take it and besides....I love scaring the little punk.

I've been to websites where I've watched the conversations...participated....had my fill and cussed the guys out and left.

Its the raging madman in me.  I make no apologizes.

But this latest from Michael Yon against Uncle Jimbo is a new low.

Trust me.  When I say wow, its usually for dramatic effect.  Its an easy attention grabber for headlines.

This fucking time I mean it.  WOW.  Yon has jumped the shark, baracuda, piranha and every other deep sea animal.  This shit is over the top.  Check it out here.