AF-17 & 18 take to the air....

Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti was at the controls for the first flight of F-35A AF-18 on 17 May 2012 at NAS Fort Worth JRB. The aircraft is scheduled to go to Eglin AFB later in 2012.

Lockheed Martin test pilot Bill Gigliotti was at the controls for the first flight of F-35A AF-17 on 17 May 2012 at NAS Fort Worth JRB. The aircraft is scheduled to go to Eglin AFB later in 2012.

Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System with M282 Warhead

SIDENOTE:
If this works as advertised then the small boat problem is a thing of the past.  One UH-1Y, a AH-1Z or an MH-60R could take out a swarm of 20 boats.

Test Pilot Tuesday.

Dude, you better win!

Sgt. Cody R. Nelson, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force combat shooting team, fires at 300 meter targets during the first day of competition at the 2012 Australian Army Skills at the Arms Meeting (AASAM) May 7 in Puckapunyal, Australia. AASAM is an international marksmanship competition consisting of 16 different countries. This year is the fifth iteration of AASAM and the third consecutive year that United States forces have been invited to participate.
(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Brandon Saunders)

Cops are Cops not matter what country.

Hat tip to English Russia!  Too Funny...

EA-18, Best plane built today?

The EA-18.

A capable aircraft by all descriptions but this from Galrahn is ... just plain weird...

This is just smart. It is my belief the EA-18G is the best aircraft on the planet being built today, and one of the main reasons the British have chosen exactly wrong to not put EMALS on their CVFs.

I mean really?

Did he say that out loud before he typed it?

It is my belief the EA-18G is the best aircraft on the planet being built today, and one of the main reasons the British have chosen exactly wrong to not put EMALS on their CVFs?

I had to immediately go get info the EA-18 because I must have missed something.  I went to the Boeing website, Naval Technology.com and Wikipedia.

What I found was hardly ground breaking.  To be honest its just the EA-6 in a new wrapper with a bit of automation added and an AESA array.  The second part of it is just him playing to the anti F-35 crowd.

But read the entire article he has up 'cause he takes an unwarranted swing at the Gator Navy.  This is especially insane because he's commented before that amphibs are some of the most in demand ships in the fleet and that we don't have enough....

Here is what you need to know about AFSB - it is basically a MLP with a module that converts it into a LPH. The AFSB has a fairly large aviation capability that makes HMS Ocean look like a baby cousin. AFSB + MLP is a remarkable capability that I for one hopes to see get built and tested thoroughly, because it is a two ship system for a legitimate forward operating base at sea, and it can scale well with existing Sealift capabilities and by plugging in T-AKEs. It is certainly an 80% solution, but if it works it is an appealing capability that will go well beyond what the US Navy is using Ponce for - indeed the combination would finally get folks in the expeditionary space to start really thinking about what is possible with Sealift capabilities when you aren't married to the enormously expensive enormous amphibious ship designs.

First the AFSB is a Marine Corps concept.  The MLP is a Marine Corps concept.

The idea about getting the other services to buy into the expeditionary capability that will come with sea basing IS A MARINE CORPS CONCEPT.

Policy blogs.

They ignore real life and focuses on the Congress and Pentagon.  That's not where the real military is.  If you choose to focus on those places...if you love forums and think tanks....if you get off on Washington dinners then fine.  But that ain't where the real Navy, Marine Corps, Army or Air Force lives. 

Not even close.

US Army 2nd Cav and German CH-53G's conduct artillery helo raid practice

F-35 and the last refuge of the Haters.

The F-35 Haters Club has one last refuge.

They're all hiding behind cost as the reason why the F-35 shouldn't be purchased.

They've given up on the F-35 isn't capable meme.  They've given up on the F-35 is short legged meme.  They've given up on the F-35 has different levels of stealth meme.

They've all rallied behind the F-35 costs too much card.

Thankfully the Blog, "Why the F-35", blows up that little house of lies.  Check this out.

In fact, the truth is, it's a program we can't afford not to complete. That's because the alternative - keeping the 4th generation aircraft we have - is an unacceptable solution for many reasons.

Go to his website to read the whole thing...and make sure you follow the links.  Suffice it to say that the critics are on their last ropes, they placed their bets on a public deception campaign that didn't pan out...they thought that having a few pawns in the Senate would get them over the finish line but that didn't work either, so now they're playing this...and Why the F-35 Blog, blows that away too.

I love it.

100 years of Marine Corps Aviation

Royal flypast

Ward on the F-35.

I told you earlier that Sharkey Ward is still on the warpath over the UK's decision to revert to the F-35B.  In true think tank fashion, he's put his misgivings to paper and provided a report on the subject.


I don't agree but considering his service, I'll at least hear him out.  You might consider doing the same.

120520 - Balancing the Books - F-35 STOVL

"Depussification of the Navy"

via CDR Salamander...

In a real departure from normal procedures, the skipper left the weatherdecks open during the full power run, crash astern, and crash ahead testing. ... everyone else secures the decks to avoid possible mishaps. (when I told him that) He gave me a disgusted look and formed an upside down triangle with his hands. He said that one of his missions was the "depussification of the Navy."

Click here to read the whole thing.

Wow.

The powers that BE have made a severe miscalculation.

They shoved through the repeal of don't ask, don't tell.  They ignored survey's that they themselves commissioned on the subject.

They're shoving through women in ground combat units and the Army is allowing women to go to Ranger School.  That in and of itself indicates that Special Operations will be open to women and if you complete Ranger School then going to the Ranger Indoctrination Program (is that what its called?) will certainly be allowed....

They've done all this in a compressed time frame and they believe that the troops are happy?

Not even close.

The hollow armed forces of the 70's are going to look like a power house compared to what we will have if President Obama is re-elected.  Thank God we're seeing some push back.

Old is new. Combat Fitness.

I've been digging this guys site for a while now and have finally decided to share it.  Its called Tactical Athletic Performance and you should check it out for yourself.

But my main gripe isn't with him but with all those that are latching onto the Cross fit, High Intensity or whatever the latest buzz word for getting into shape is.

Its all bullshit.

You either get out and work your ass off or you don't.  You can either master your own weight or you can't.

We don't need buzz words or repackaged themes to make it work.

We just need common sense.  No one invented something new with Cross fit.

They simply repackaged what was already out there.  Oh and you can't tell me that a Marine that's running 5 miles Mon-Thurs...hitting a full old school calisthenics routine and doing the obstacle course twice a week with a 5 to 15 mile ruck on Friday isn't cross fit.

He's got it in spades and didn't do a thing new.

1950 USMC Recruiting Vid.

Sharkey Ward demands another U-turn....back to the F-35C or F/A-18E-F.

Relentless.

Cunning.

A never say die attitude.

All this and more can be used to describe Sharkey Ward, hero of the Falkland Island's Air Sea battle.  One thing that can't be stated is that he's a F-35 booster.  At least not in its purist sense.

I made that mistake and I was wrong.

I've accused the critics of the F-35 to be a loose amalgamation of people that have separate agendas but bound together by a single goal.  KILL THE F-35!

Sharkey isn't a F-35 booster...he's a naval aviation purist and he wants a fully capable, fully functional carrier air wing in the US Navy image.  If that means getting there by flying F-18's, Rafale's, Sea Typhoons, Sea Gripen's or any other airplane on the market place then that's ok by him.  Check this out...

I fear that there are some who are content to accept the decision taken by the Secretary of State last week on the F-35 variant to be procured for our new carriers.

There appears to be a view "that the STOVL aircraft is far better than nothing at all" and that "living with ramp fitted carriers will not be such a bad thing".  I'm afraid I can't agree and I go along with the well put remarks in the article by DefenceSynergia (attached).

My biggest concern is not just that we will have a more limited capability than with the F-35 or the F-18.  My most serious concern is that for operations in bad weather and/or very high temperatures, we may not be able to operate the aircraft at all.

My attached paper underlines this - at page 6/7. Within the paper I have taken pains not to be critical of the Secretary of State or other ministers and I place the blame for this flawed decision entirely upon the MoD advisers who persuaded the Secretary of State to take this way ahead.

I understand from press articles that Mrs Margaret Hodge, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee is furious at the manner in which her Committee and the Government have been misled on Carrier Strike issues - and, reportedly, is initiating full investigation with the NAO.  Good for her!  But if she is to get anywhere with her investigation, she will need to be pointed in the right direction, don't you think?  Listening to the same sources that advised the Secretary of State will not enable a serious investigation to get to the root of all these problems.

It is not too late for the Royal Navy to get this right (unlike the Sea Harrier decision and then the Harrier/Ark Royal decision).

I'll be posting his attachments shortly but a couple of points.  Before you dismiss his ideas understand that the British Government appears to be subject to the whims of vocal minorities...combine that thinking with the pounding that the F-35 has taken in the public relations realm along with the voodoo economics that Sweetman and Aviation Week have saddled the plane with and you have a govt that can be made to change course again.

I thought this issue was dead.

I think I was wrong.

Marines Clear Afghan Villages of Insurgents

A simplistic view of Flag Officer Ranks in the USMC.

Ultimate Ratio Reg and CDR Salamander are banging hard on the number of Admirals in the Navy.  I'm sure URR will come back (he said he would) and take a serious look at the number of Generals in the Marine Corps.

I want to beat him to it.

My simplistic view of the appropriate number goes like this.

2 four star Generals.  The Commandant and Assistant Commandant.
4 three star Generals.  They would be in charge of each of the Marine Corps Divisions.
4 two star Generals.  They would take care of Marine Expeditionary Brigades and serve as Asst Division Commanders.
20 one star Generals.  They would fill out all joint billets.  If the number of joint billets is greater than this number (and it most assuredly is) then it would be filled with a Colonel that is given a temporary promotion to the flag rank until his assignment is over.
Colonels and below would be as currently assigned with the exception that billets that are deemed more appropriate to the rank of Major will go to that rank and by this method we will also reduce the number of Colonels.

This is just off the top of my head but I was tweaked by URR and Sal on this issue. 

Evolution of the Combat Helmet.

WW I Helmet

WW II thru Vietnam Helmet (with modifications)

PASGT

MICH

ACH

OPS CORE

ACH with Mandible

The evolution that we're seeing with combat helmets is .... unexplainable.

From World War 1 up until the Second Gulf War we saw a movement toward more coverage.  During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan we see a new movement toward less coverage.

Then Special Ops decided that they basically only needed a shell covering only a portion of the head.  Conventional forces followed suit and brought the MICH first and then the ACH into service.

Now we have the services deciding that mandible protection is needed.

WHO IS COMING UP WITH THIS STUFF!

At least from the outside looking in, this makes absolutely no sense at all.  I wish PEO Soldier would explain the rationale behind this...or if you can then please hook me up!

The F-35 Program Office would like to thank the People's Republic Of China.

A special thank you goes to the People's Republic of China.


You have successfully scared the shit out of your neighbors, risk making your number one trading partner your mortal enemy (despite attempts by liberals, misguided capitalist, and silly free market junkies) and are on the brink of societal collapse.


With all those issues you still found the time to cobble together a slightly stealthy, oversized, weak engined, single man fighter with questionable avionics....but because of your inferiority complex...because of your desire to beat the US militarily instead of economically with your poorly paid labor force you have finally woken the fools in Congress.


The critics of the F-35 MIGHT have carried the day if you had planned properly.  If you had presented yourself as only an economic and not military competitor things might have turned out differently.


Now.  All bets are off.


The F-35 will go into production.

You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.

The J-20 is an indication that the F-35 scares the Chinese.  That's a good thing.

24th MEU. More Eager Lion 12

Photos by Cpl. Michael Petersheim

CH-53E Super Stallions and MV-22 Ospreys with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 (Reinforced), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are arranged and organized by aircraft category in preparation for Exercise Eager Lion 12 here, May 9. More than 1,000 Marines from the 24th MEU are participating in Eager Lion 12, which is taking place throughout the month of May and is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of 19 partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU which, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater security and crisis response force.

U.S. Navy beach masters from Amphibious Squadron 8 guide Navy Landing Craft Air Cushion hovercrafts onto the beach in preparation for Exercise Eager Lion 12 here, May 10. More than 1,000 Marines from the 24th MEU are participating in Eager Lion 12, which is taking place throughout the month of May and is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of 19 partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU which, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater security and crisis response force.

Marines with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit offload Humvees from Navy Landing Craft Air-Cushion hovercrafts with Assault Craft Unit 4 in preparation for Exercise Eager Lion 12 here, May 10. Eager Lion 12, taking place throughout the month of May, is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of 19 participating nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU who, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater security and crisis response force.

A Navy Landing Craft Air-Cushion hovercraft from Assault Craft Unit 4 parks after offloading Marines and tactical vehicles with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit from the USS New York in preparation for Exercise Eager Lion 12 here, May 10. More than 1,000 Marines from the 24th MEU are participating in Eager Lion 12 which is taking place throughout the month of May and is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of 19 partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU which, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater security and crisis response force. The USS New York can be seen in the background.

Marines and Sailors with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, ride Assault Amphibious Vehicles ashore from the USS New York in preparation for Exercise Eager Lion 12 here, May 10. More than 1,000 Marines from the 24th MEU are participating in Eager Lion 12 which is taking place throughout the month of May and is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of 19 partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU who, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater security and crisis response force. The USS New York can be seen in the background.

Marines and Sailors with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, ride Assault Amphibious Vehicles ashore from the USS New York in preparation for Exercise Eager Lion 12 here, May 10. More than 1,000 Marines from the 24th MEU are participating in Eager Lion 12 which is taking place throughout the month of May and is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of 19 partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU who, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater security and crisis response force. The USS New York can be seen in the background.

Jordan - Marines and Sailors with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, ride Assault Amphibious Vehicles ashore from the USS New York in preparation for Exercise Eager Lion 12 here, May 10. More than 1,000 Marines from the 24th MEU are participating in Eager Lion 12 which is taking place throughout the month of May and is designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships of 19 partner nations. This is the second major exercise for the 24th MEU who, along with the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, is currently deployed to the U.S Central Command area of operations as a theater security and crisis response force. The USS New York can be seen in the background.