HMAS Choules

Australia's amphibious force is coming together nicely.  Couple this ship along with the Canberra Class LHD's and a few F-35B (if Australia gets its act together!) and you'll have a robust expeditionary and power projection force.

Australia's Air Defense Destroyers, Subs loaded with Tomahawk missiles, F-35B's capable of providing protection and hitting targets of opportunity in addition to Australian Soldiers who are probably only a few years away from having a Marine Corps established make this a force to be reckoned with.

Of course the Australian Air Force will be needed to provide Tankers, AWACs and perform home defense chores but for everything else the Australian Army, Navy and soon to be Marine Corps should have any other situation well in hand.

Fuel Efficient Demonstrator Bravo.

via CarBuzz.com

I think I liked the Alpha version better.

If this is an example of cloud design or whatever the buzz word is that the Pentagon is latching onto then they need to drop the trendy stuff and get back to business.  This thing looks like a half baked SUV.

Light Air Support Mission. Why not the A-10?

We're all seeing the furball between the A-29 and the AT-6.

Its nasty, has implications that will affect US manufacturing (if the Brazilian plane is chosen) and has put the USAF in the uncomfortable position of having a contest that will be questioned no matter which airplane is chosen.

Why not simply pull A-10's out of mothballs, refurbish them and have them perform this mission?  In its most basic form its not that much more sophisticated than the two contentders, is more robust, faster, can carry a heavier weapons load and if properly configured can have a similar time on station.

Additionally its designed for rough field use, its combat proven and should be more survivable than either of the other planes.

This is really a no brainer and would save money, help industry by tossing a bone to the refurb work (or if kept in house by the USAF, save money) and is an effective solution.

Quite honestly the A-10 is the airplane that the US Navy should have chosen for Imminent Fury.  I can only wonder if the reason why it wasn't was due to a bit of interservice politics and perhaps a desire by SOCOM for a unique airplane?

Whatever the reason the plane to pick for the Light Air Support Mission is a plane the USAF already has---in abundance.  The A-10.  And if SOCOM decides that they need some in house attack planes and perhaps escorts for their helicopters then the A-10 should top that list too.  Use what we have.  That's the beginning of defense reform.

Harriers almost came back for Libya

via the Scotsman.com

By David Maddox
Published on Tuesday 1 May 2012 02:34

THE government yesterday admitted that it had considered bringing back one of its aircraft carriers and the Harrier jump jets for the Libya operations.

In a response to the defence select committee’s report on the Libya conflict, the government suggested it thought about reversing its decision to mothball the carriers and Harriers in the strategic defence and spending review (SDSR). The reponse also said that the National Transitional Council, which led the anti-Gaddafi forces, could be subject to war crimes prosecutions if evidence emerged. The report said the conflict is expected to have cost £199 million, just £1m under the promised maximum total.

Labour defence committee member Thomas Docherty said: “This admission on the carrier is yet another example of the SDSR unravelling.”

Amazing.

Simply amazing.

I don't know whats more stunning.  The decision to sell the Harriers...The admission that they were going to put the Harriers back in operation...The switch to the F-35C or the possibility of switching back to the F-35B.

This whole thing smacks of politics of the worse sort.

Has anyone noticed that not one of the British Army's programs are caught up in the mess that is the furball between the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force?

I wonder why that is?  Are they just too big to be fucked with?  Or are they considered not to be players in this grudge match?

One thing is certain.  THIS LOOKS BAD.  REAL BAD.

F-35 News. Japan buys 4 with 38 (or more) to follow...

via Alert 5.
http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/2012/Japan_12-15.pdf

So Japan is buying 4 F-35's and 38 (or more) later.  More stuff you won't hear in the mainstream defense media.

Military Artwork.

Go to English Russia to see the rest.  Pretty nice work...vehicle identification needs work but the art is pretty good.

Stealth BlackHawk by the Aviationist.com

The Aviationist and friends have updated their view of the Stealth BlackHawk.  Check out his article for the full details.

RAF vs. FAA

The battle between the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Air Arm is becoming a bit clearer.

The latest from Sharkey Ward is helping me to flesh out the argument.  I'm not sure I can pick sides on this one but at least I'm starting to get where the battle lines are drawn.

Its all about money...funding...and procurement.  Check this out, an open letter....

Dear Chancellor,

 

You will wish to be aware of the figures that the Permanent Undersecretary to the Ministry of Defence failed to provide to the Public Accounts Committee last week during its deliberations on Carrier Strike. These are now provided for your information in the attached document. The savings available to the taxpayer are indeed considerable if the right choice of aircraft is made for the Queen Elizabeth class carrier (varying from nearly £5 billion to over £13 billion).

 

I would suggest that earlier figures presented to you by CDM may have been less than forthright.

 

The suggestion of a return to the F-35B STOVL aircraft was initiated by DE&S and CDM who would appear to have an alliance with MoD/RAF. I am now informed that The RAF are due to announce a tender/consultation on the Future Air Defence Aircraft.  It is no surprise that they are looking at F-35C with its deep strike capability rather than the F 35B STOVL (or alternative with equivalent or better spec).  One must question therefore why they are trying to push the F-35B STOVL aircraft for our new carriers. Presumably they think that if the carriers only have the STOVL aircraft with its comparatively limited capability, they will be able to seek justification for any new aircraft that has a reasonable DPOC capability.

 

I understand that they are due to announce a requirement for UP TO 180 fighter jets! This figure would appear absurd when we as a nation are seeking to project our Foreign Policy and defend our energy supplies, trade routes and overseas interests with just 60 carrier borne, fast jet combat aircraft.  It is for consideration that our disembarked, shore-based naval fighter aircraft could also provide a robust fighter air defence of the United Kingdom (against which there is no perceived threat).

 

With very recent analysis showing that the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm is 40% more efficient than the Royal Air Force in the Administration and operation of its aircraft, this provides a financial and a logical argument for having larger carrier air groups that can conduct strategic operations overseas and, at the same time, provide for the air defence of the United Kingdom.  There would then be no need at all for any specialised "Future Air Defence Aircraft".

 

Inter service politics.  This will get nasty before its all done.

Canadian Air Force still want the F-35

Interesting news...

OTTAWA – Canada’s military is determined to purchase the F-35 fighter jet rather than a cheaper or more reliable alternative despite a recent flood of criticism and controversy surrounding the U.S. aircraft.
That was the word from the head of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lt.-Gen. Andre Deschamps, who was testifying Tuesday at a House of Commons committee along with a panel of defiant senior government officials who have come under fire for their handling of the program to replace the current fleet of CF-18 jets.
“Currently from an air force perspective we are focused on delivering the transition to the F-35,” Deschamps said.

So what do we have here?

We have another air arm that is solidly behind the F-35.

We have journalist that are attempting to frame the debate in such a way as to make the public believe that this world beating fighter is a lemon.

We have the sad fact that people with agendas...from Sharkey wanting to ensure two carriers and to stick it to the Royal Air Force, to Sweetman wanting to protect EADS, to finally Winslow Wheeler believing that fighters should only have two heat seeking missiles and a gun---and others with views all over the map...conspiring to sink a program.

If it wasn't fact, it wouldn't sell as fiction.

Luckily, people with real visibility on the program know better.  And like the old G.I. Joe cartoon used to say...Knowing is half the battle!

3rd Reconnaissance Battalion

A U.S. Marine Corps paratrooper with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion glides over the island of Palawan during training as a part of Exercise Balikatan 2012 April 24, 2012 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. Balikatan is an annual bilateral training exercise designed to increase interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military when responding to future natural disasters. (DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Lyndel Johnson, U.S. Marine Corps/Released)

Dynamic Views.

Just a reminder that you can have SNAFU! your way.  On the bar at the top of  the page is a Dynamic Views button.  See this blog the way that you like best.  Its your choice.

Check it out.

5.11 B.E.A.S.T. F-450 Super Duty

Hmmm.

Not as cool as the MagPul UniMog but cool none the less.  I guess this is the new trend for gear makers/fire arms manufacturers...I'll be looking for the S&W Jeep.

When I find more/better pics I'll post them asap.

The Dark Knight Rises - Official Trailer

I'm NOT feeling the "aster" with this film...something seems off.

F-22 pilots ask to be reassigned. Kinda says it all don't it?

via Alert5 from PilotOnline.

Despite those precautions, the head of the service's Air Combat Command said a "very small number" of pilots have decided they're not comfortable flying the Raptor.
Gen. Mike Hostage didn't provide specific numbers during a media briefing Monday. He said he wouldn't force a pilot to fly a plane against his or her will - but he also made clear that person wouldn't "get a free pass to go do something else."

Disgraceful!

Read the whole article...its generally a fluff piece with this juicy nugget hid away, but the implications are obvious and stunning.

The USAF's premier fighter is killing its pilots, they don't have a solution and although he won't force pilots to fly against their will, they won't get a free pass to do something else!

Another case of leadership failure.

This is a sad time in US Military History.  

Luckily for the USAF, the F-35 is coming.  From the looks of things it can't come soon enough.

Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond fires her first Sea Viper.

Pictures: LA(Phot) Ben Sutton, FRPU North

 via Royal Navy News

I don't know if I agree with their operational theory of letting destroyers command air elements but I can't deny that's a beautiful ship.

Sidenote:
Check out the first pic.  That's some aggressive maneuvering!

Commandant tries to tighten the reins.

First.

This from Battle Rattle...

The Marine Corps’ top general wants an end to the monkey business that, since the start of 2012, has cast a steady, unflattering light on an institution defined in no small part by the pride it exhibits in being a disciplined, moral fighting force.
“We are allowing our standards to erode,” Gen. Jim Amos, the service’s 35th commandant, laments in an internal memo distributed to all of his generals, commanding officers and sergeants major. Known as a White Letter, the sharply worded missive comes in response to “a number of recent widely publicized incidents” involving Marines misbehaving abroad.
Complacent leadership bears some of the blame, he says.

Second.

Check out this video.



Last.

Check out the Commandants words as reported by Battle Rattle again...

The Marine Corps’ top general wants an end to the monkey business that, since the start of 2012, has cast a steady, unflattering light on an institution defined in no small part by the pride it exhibits in being a disciplined, moral fighting force.

Long story short.

Its the Commandant's fault.

I bitched and shouted that the above video was foolish, I stated that it was nonsense and should not be allowed.  I wondered where this guys First Sgt, SgtMajor, or Commanding Officer was on this.

I was ignored.

But its a commonly understood that if you let little things slide they'll turn into big things.  Thats what the video represented...the beginning of the stupidity that struck the Marine Corps like a thief in the night.  The videos that appeared on the internet showing Marines in all kinds of compromising positions all can be traced back to the laxity that started with the flood of vids that had Marines asking celebrities out on dates.

And you know what?

HQMC cheered it on.  I even saw a Marine Spokesman basically endorse it.

That's the root cause of all this.  And if you had experience on the ground side then you would realize that laxity leads to discipline problems.

But on a side note I'm glad to see that the retired Marine Generals have finally spoken up.  This has the General's Club written all over it.

This is too little too late.  I don't think General Amos' tenure as Commandant will be looked on as great days for the Marine Corps.

24th MEU. African Lion Pics.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Tucker Wolf

Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and soldiers of the Royal Moroccan Army, perform dry fire rehearsal in preparation for the final exercise of African Lion 12, April 14, 2012. African Lion 12 is a joint and bi-lateral exercise between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States that will involve more than 2,000 U.S. service members and approximately 900 members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is deploying to the European and Central Command theaters of operation to serve 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. Seth Jarboe, a 24-year-old Castle Rock, Colo., native, and rifleman with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit provides security as a CH-53 Super Stallion lands during rehearsals in preparation for the final exercise of African Lion 12, April 14, 2012. African Lion 12 was a joint and bi-lateral exercise between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States that involved more than 2,000 U.S. service members and approximately 900 members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. African Lion 12 was the first major exercise the 24th MEU participated in after deploying in March on a regularly scheduled eight month deployment with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.

Marines with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and soldiers of the Royal Moroccan Army, perform dry fire rehearsal in preparation for the final exercise of African Lion 12, April 14, 2012. African Lion 12 is a joint and bi-lateral exercise between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States that will involve more than 2,000 U.S. service members and approximately 900 members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. The 24th MEU, partnered with the Navy's Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is deploying to the European and Central Command theaters of operation to serve 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. Seth Jarboe, a 24-year-old Castle Rock, Colo., native, and rifleman with Bravo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit provides security as a CH-53 Super Stallion lands during rehearsals in preparation for the final exercise of African Lion 12, April 14, 2012. African Lion 12 was a joint and bi-lateral exercise between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States that involved more than 2,000 U.S. service members and approximately 900 members of the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces. African Lion 12 was the first major exercise the 24th MEU participated in after deploying in March on a regularly scheduled eight month deployment with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group.

Air Assault Final.

Students rappell out of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from roughly 90 feet in the air during the final event of the rappelling portion of the Air Assault Course held at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center, April 17-27, 2012.

"Victory" Day Practice.

via English Russia.

Afghan attacks on coalition forces without injuries. The unreported truth.

From Associated Press Via Fox News.

The military is under-reporting the number of times that Afghan soldiers and police open fire on American and other foreign troops. 
The U.S.-led coalition routinely reports each time an American or foreign solider is killed by an Afghan in uniform. But The Associated Press has learned it does not report insider attacks in which the Afghan wounds -- or misses -- his U.S. or allied target. It also does not report the wounding of troops who were attacked alongside those who were killed. 
Such attacks reveal a level of mistrust and ill will between the U.S.-led coalition and its Afghan counterparts in an increasingly unpopular war. The U.S. and its military partners are working more closely with Afghan troops in preparation for handing off security responsibility to them by the end of 2014.

Go to Fox News to read the whole thing...

Information operations are a part of war.  I realize that.


I don't know if this should be classified as operationally important information to withhold from the public, information that they determined would hurt the war effort if it was released or if they simply thought the public had no need to know.

I have no idea how they'll justify this, but I'm sure they will.  I also know that the outrage that should come from the American people will not materialize.

People seem to be more concerned with Kim Kardashians big ass than they do about men fighting and dying.