Navy gets its first F-35...

12 nations buying the F-35? War Machines Graphic.

Fixing SOCOM.

A Marine with Special Operations Training Group conducts helicopter rope suspension training from an MV-22B Osprey with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 June 13 at Landing Zone Vulture aboard Camp Lejeune.

The Marine Corps is hanging at a ragged edge right now.

Its emphasizing Force Recon in the form of Maritime Raid Force (which uses the Battalion Landing Team as basic fire watch) yet at the same time pushing its conventional Infantry Units to attain skill sets which normally reside in the Special Ops Community.

Which begs the question.

What makes Special Ops, Special Ops?  Is it training?  The average grunt in a good unit...Marines, 82nd, 10th Mountain, 25th ID for example all get variations on the same skill set that you find in Navy SEALs and Rangers....

Is it how they get to work???  Besides the more exotic forms of insertion (and I'm mainly talking HAHO, HALO and SCUBA) they basically get to work the same way...either Helo, by boat or by some type of armored vehicle....

So what makes Special Ops, Special Ops?

Is it unit size?

Uh, forgive me but quite honestly, you're seeing the Rangers fight mainly as Company sized elements.  We've seen the smaller 3 or 4 man teams get mauled in Afghanistan and they were a non-starter in Iraq due to the urbanization that was found.

So if you're talking Company and Battalion sized fighting units (Brigades in the Army) then what makes the elite units elite?

Yeah.

That's the rub.

Rumsfeld had a love affair with SOCOM but failed to follow through with his famous metrics.  He went off his experience in Vietnam and suddenly every mission was a Special Ops mission.

He ignored history.

History tells us that the individual soldier is getting more effective and more lethal.  The higher the education requirements the more responsibility that can be passed to the conventional units.  And finally our current JCS and  most especially our own Commandant is failing to acknowledge the work done by conventional units.  SOCOM focused entirely on raids and dropped a whole series of missions.  Those missions were picked up by conventionals and now we're seeing them rush back to reclaim them.

Quite honestly the opposite should occur.  SOCOM should be downsized to make it truly elite again.  We should also carefully tailor their mission sets.  If a conventional unit can do the job then its not a SOCOM mission.  SPECIAL OPERATIONS SHOULD BE SPECIAL!!

Your Saturday "what the fuck" moment courtesy of Gawker & a huge wolf....

via Gawker....

Tim Bartlett, a mechanic from Alberta, Canada, was enjoying a long motorcycle ride down British Columbia's scenic Highway 93 when he spotted something unusual emerging from the woods: a massive wolf. And the wolf didn't just stand there – it chased Bartlett for nearly a mile, at times coming within ten feet of the mechanic.
“It was coming at me. It probably got to within a couple meters, easy, maybe a meter,” Bartletttold the National Post.

Full story here...but it is Gawker so make sure you read the comments.

How much lift will the AAV have once its made IED "Capable"? Will we need more than projected?

Around 17 Marines in practice, but 25 in literature is the lift capability of the current AAV.

But that's with Vietnam era bench seats.  Since this vehicle is about to be extended in service even longer, I wonder what the new number will be.

If you consider everything Qinetiq North America listed in their brochure, I would guess it would drop to around 10 to 12.  Consider the fact that it appears that Blast Seating, Spall Liners, Bouyancy Aids and even extra armor is all part of this upgrade (and we still haven't seen anything regarding the vehicles suspension) and it makes me wonder if the number of vehicles in the AAV Battalion isn't going to have to be plussed up in order to get the same number of Marines transported.

According to the program office they're looking at upgrading 493 AAVs.  Something tells me that's using "legacy" AAV lift as a guide.

After the upgrade that won't be applicable.

If I'm right about this then the Marine Corps really does need to pay me a consulting fee.  Someone needs to be working on getting our armor in shape!

We've talked about it long enough. Time to camo our weapons.

U.S. Marines assigned to Company L, Battalion Landing Team 3/2, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), provide suppressive fire during a platoon attack exercise during Exercise Eager Lion 2013, in Al Quweira, Jordan, June 17, 2013. Exercise Eager Lion 2013 is an annual, multinational exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships and enhance security and stability in the region by responding to modern-day security scenarios. The 26th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility aboard the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group serving as a sea-based, expeditionary crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious operations across the full range of military operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Juanenrique Owings, 26th MEU Combat Camera/Released)

I was doing my swing around the internet this morning and came across this pic.

Besides seeing that 26th MEU Battalion Landing Team is doing its job and finally getting to do some work (I swear to God, they must give every MEU Commander a briefing that it will be all Maritime Raid Force all the time), I was left wondering when will we finally fix that.

I'm talking about Marines being in some pretty effective camoflauge but still carrying around Black Rifles.

I mean geez, even civilians have gotten the message about black standing out in almost every environment, yet we still have Black Rifles being issued to our Marines.

I have no idea about the cost of getting all of these weapons duracoated or cerakoated but its way past time that we did something.

If you're attempting to conceal yourself and your weapon stands out it can get you killed.  Maybe we should have focused on that improvement instead of going with a Serpa Holster or a new sling.

This is why I count Kyle Defoor as one of the top 8 "warrior trainers" in the US.

via Soldier System...

Gunfighter Moment – Kyle Defoor Workout Ratios-Strength to Cardio (3:1)
When it comes to PT nowadays, we pretty much got it licked. Between CrossFit and the host of other programs out there our mil, LE, and civs are in great shape strength wise.
It’s a bit funny to see it becoming a phenomenon when some of it is basically a military type PT session thats been going on for half a century. Still great and at least people are doing something useful and beneficial and at the same time enjoying themselves.
However, one part that is being left out in some places is cardio. Real cardio. Simply not enough running, biking, swimming, whatever. I see it in some mil places where run times have dropped dramatically. It’s been addressed in other spots and now a lot of mil units are starting to see run times being crushed. A lot of us are attributing this to the perfect complement of real world strength training combined with cardio, plus “active” rest days.
A good guide to complement whatever PT you do is cardio 3 times a week, 20 mins at a heart rate of roughly 165 bpm. That’s pretty much universal for someone who isn’t obese.
A better complement to your strength training is 4 times a week at 30 minutes a pop, 2 sessions at around 165 bpm, and 2 sessions at 185-195 bpm.
In the end, you’ll have to base your cardio on how much time is spent on strength stuff, but the above is a starter guide.
Runners with experience can break this down to easy pace for long distance and tempo pace which is approx 1.5-2 min slower than race pace.
Somewhere around a 3:1 is perfect I think for strength vs. cardio for the masses. A 2:1 should be considered for mil units who move on foot over rough terrain or recce elements.
V/R,
Kyle Defoor
“Trainer of Feeders”

Yeah.  That's why I like Defoor...Haley is big on it too...I'm talking about being the complete warrior.

If you were in the military then you get it but some civilians don't...and I include LEO's in that too.

Its not good enough to have all the gucci gear...to have the latest and greatest firearm with knife and optics...you've got to have the engine (your body) to put all that stuff into motion and the brain to make it work.

That's why Defoor emphasizes.

Total warrior training.

Mind, Body, Brain and Spirit.  Good stuff.  A variation on this is what we called  distance sprints.  Nothing earth shattering.  On strength days you run 400 meters with breaks in between for PFT distance (6 x 400 twice a week...trust me...you'll have to build up and still its a kick in the ass) and then run days would be long and slow.  Damn near everyone was zooming with a first class PFT and they were legit scores...no pencil whipping allowed. 

Approved. Liberty granted...

PhotoRecon! A must see website.

If you aren't linked in with PhotoRecon then you're missing out.  They have it together...a well laid out website...articles that don't stretch from here to eternity...in other words if you're a busy on the go person that needs to pop in , grab what interests you and then be on your way then they're your go to aviation site.  Check them out!

Dawn Blitz Air Assault. Pics via PhotoRecon.

Guys are going Galt.

The pushback from these years (Obama Administration) is going to be intense, furious and at times spectacular.

I can sense that the "change" artist know that they're pushing the bounds...but push them they will.

Still.  Check out this article.  Its worth the read and the implications should be chilling.  

Marine Corps! Air Assault! Table Salt! Hooah/Ooorah!

And the move toward becoming a sea going 101st Airborne continues....

via USMC.mil

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - More than 35 Marine Corps aircraft will transport a battalion of infantry Marines from Camp Pendleton to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center at Twentynine Palms to conduct an air assault training mission as part of Dawn Blitz, Friday, June 21.

3rd Marine Aircraft Wing aircraft participating in the mission will include the MV-22B Osprey, CH-53E Super Sea Stallion, UH-1Y Super Huey, AH-1Z Super Cobra, KC-130J Super Hercules and AV-8B Harrier. The 500 Marines conducting the assault are assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

Dawn Blitz 2013 is a multinational exercise that the Navy and Marine Corps use to enhance their amphibious expeditionary tactics, techniques and procedures. This bilateral exercise represents the Navy and Marine Corps' ongoing efforts to meet the challenges of future conflicts, overseas contingency operations, humanitarian assistance/disaster response and homeland defense. Canada, Japan, and New Zealand are also participating in the exercise.

"Marine Aircraft Wing 16's participation in Dawn Blitz 2013 is significant on multiple levels. Having the opportunity to work with the international participants is vital for enhancing our ability to respond to crises as part of a joint or combined effort. This partnership builds confidence and trust that is essential for providing regional security, stability and prosperity. Friday's airlift is also noteworthy because it will demonstrate MAG-16's unique ability to conduct a tactical insert of a battalion-size infantry unit in a single wave of aircraft. This type of mission is the foundation of Marine aviation and provides realistic, relevant training necessary for effective global crisis response," said Marine Aircraft Wing 16 Commanding Officer, Col. Patrick A. Gramuglia.

When you have a pussy ass wing commander acting as Commandant, you get pussy ass ideas.  Air Assault...Table Salt....or should I say Sea Salt?

Friday Funny.

Rioting in Turkey and Brazil. Could we be next?

Did the rioting in Turkey catch you off guard?  Me too.  Did you see the drama in Brazil coming?  I didn't either.

I'm a little disappointed because I'm cheering both countries as they become military powers and it would appear that domestic considerations might put a damper on my timescale for them.

One thing that I am keeping an eye on is the Immigration debate.  What happens if the Senate passes it but the House rejects it?

Yeah.  Rioting.  Civil Disturbance on a mass scale.  Think about this.  Do you remember the large protests that we saw to show support for a new immigration law a couple years ago?  What happens when those same number of people assemble but this time they're pissed?

I figure it to all hit the fan right after the 4th.

A Tough Bunch

U.S. Marines assigned to Company I, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 3/2, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, board an MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 (Reinforced), at King Faisal Air Base in Jordan, June 14, 2013. Exercise Eager Lion 2013 is an annual, multinational exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships and enhance security and stability in the region by responding to modern-day security scenarios. The 26th MEU is deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group. The 26th MEU operates continuously across the globe, providing the president and unified combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, sea-based quick reaction force. (U.S. Marine Corps photograph by Sgt. Christopher Q. Stone / Released)

X3 Speed Record Celebration Pics

Who are the top trainers?

I was talking to Terry and it made me think to ask. Who do you consider to be the top military trainers?

My list is as follows...

1. Haley.

2. Vickers.

3. Rogers

4. Defoor

5. McNamara

6. Costa

7. Panone

8. Pincus


I go by credentials teaching method, information provided to students, style in which info is provided, and how innovative I think each person is.

My big thing is I've been through boot camp and don't need you barking at me like I'm a boot. Talk to me, show me where I did it wrong so I can fix it and keep your shit up to date as the threat evolves.

Your list might be different and I can understand that but if you could give reasons why.

Amphibious Assault hard? Then Airborne Assault is impossible!

Reality check.

If you talk about amphibious assault in terms like "we won't be doing another D-Day" or "Iwo Jima" then you haven't thought about the operational art of warfare at all.

Consider the other two forms.  Airborne and Air Assault.

Air Assault was laid to waste in an Iraqi Desert by a well planned helo trap courtesy of a smart Iraqi Commander, bad intel and overly optimistic mission planners in the Combat Aviation Brigade.

But Airborne Assault is usually the hat that everyone likes to wear as being the solution...the only solution to our forcible entry needs.

How stupid can that type of thinking be?!!!?!!

A group of C-17's being escorted by fighters is going to cross into enemy territory, drop its battalion or more of paratroops, keep them resupplied, reinforce them with additional paratroops and then link up with friendly forces?

Are you smoking crack?

You couldn't even perform an Airborne Forcible Entry Op into Syria right now...much less against a fully functioning government with a competent military....

Whats my point?

Simple.

All forms of forcible entry carry risks. Airborne and Air Assaults are as risky (or more) than amphibious assaults.  

USS Enterprise. A sad end to a great ship.

50 years...something like 4 wars...she did her job well.  What a beautiful ship.  Too bad she can't be converted to a floating base.

French Amphibious Ops.

Note:  I just can't warm up to the LCAT.  Another thing.  Are the French capable of carrying out an amphibious assault?  I don't think so.  Administrative landings and LIMITED amphibious raids, but assaults are a bridge too far for them.