The Marine Corps Colonel no one talks about...

History tends to repeat.

We've been through this time before.  Terrorism on the upswing.  European powers refusing to act.  Middle Eastern powers refusing to act.  Everyone looking to the US to do...something.

Well one time we tried to "do something" under the banner of the UN.

Let me introduce you to the Marine Corps Colonel no one talks about.  Meet Colonel William R Higgins.  A short blurb from Wikipedia (make sure to read it all).

On February 17, 1988, Higgins disappeared while serving as the Chief, Observer Group Lebanon and Senior Military Observer, United Nations Military Observer Group, United Nations Truce Supervision Organization. Higgins was driving alone on the coastal highway between Tyre and Naqoura in southern Lebanon, returning from a meeting with a local leader of the Amal movement, when he was pulled from his vehicle by armed men.[2][3] He had been abducted by the Lebanese group Hezbollah.[4] During his captivity, he was interrogated and tortured.[1]
As a reaction to his abduction, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 618, demanding his release. A year and a half after his abduction, images of his body, hung by the neck, were televised around the world from a videotape released by his captors. The exact date of Colonel Higgins' murder is uncertain; he was declared dead on July 6, 1990. Finally, on 23 December 1991, his remains were recovered by the late Major Jens Nielsen (Royal Danish Army) attached to the United Nations Observation Group Beirut.[5] His remains had been "...dumped beside a mosque near a south Beirut hospital." [6] He was interred atQuantico National Cemetery on December 30, 1991.

I never met the guy, but reputation is that he was solid across the board.

Do you get the force of connection with his capture?  While returning from a meeting he was abducted?  Did you catch the name of the organization that tortured and killed him?  Hezbollah.

The only thing that will solve the mess in the Middle East is round the clock B-52 raids with diversions to terrorist camps in Africa if targets can't be found.

Its past time to settle the score and put these animals back in their cages.  Savages only respect strength and violence.  We've played the "reasonable" man card for far too long.  Time to get Medieval with these bastards. 

Its official. Navy Aviators HATE the F-35, want the Advanced Super Hornet!

via CDR Salamander Blog.

Perceptions about the future of naval aviation were mixed. When asked if the Joint Strike Fighter was the “right aircraft for Naval Aviation,” 60% “strongly disagreed” or “disagreed”, and 22% were neutral. Only 10% “agreed” or “strongly agreed.” Conversely, when asked if they would prefer an Advanced Super Hornet over the Joint Strike Fighter, 62% “strongly agreed” or “agreed,” and 20% were “neutral.” One commenter, a JSF pilot, noted that much of the community has yet to see the JSF in action, which — when coupled with years of negative press — may be one reason for the deep skepticism about the F-35.

That's from a retention study but it speaks volumes.  The Naval Aviation Community DOES NOT want the F-35! 

1/6 returns to "The Hall"...Photo by Sgt. Austin Hazard

U.S. Marine Corps assault amphibious vehicles with Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), load onto the amphibious dock landing ship USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) after completing sustainment training. The 22nd MEU is deployed with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group as a theater reserve and crisis response force throughout U.S. Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Austin Hazard/Released)

The UK is finally pulling the trigger on the Scout Specialist Vehicle.

Thanks for the link Tom!

via BBC.

The Ministry of Defence is set to sign a £3.5bn deal for nearly 600 new armoured vehicles ahead of the Nato summit in Wales.
The MoD will sign the order for 589 Scout Specialist Vehicles at General Dynamics in Caerphilly county.
David Cameron said the deal would aid UK security and "underpin" many jobs.
At the two-day summit in Newport, due to start on Thursday, the UK will call for increased defence spending by some of Nato's 28 member states.
Mr Cameron said the Scout deal would be the Army's largest single order for armoured vehicles for more than 30 years.
"These new vehicles are testament to the world-class engineering skills in south Wales and across the UK, helping to create the Army's first fully digitalised armoured vehicles," he said.
"Not only will they be crucial in helping to keep Britain safe, they will also underpin nearly 1,300 jobs across the UK and showcase the strength of the UK's highly skilled defence sector."

Does anyone notice how jobs are being tied directly to defense spending?  

Now the Ukrainian 51st Brigade talks of the "Meat Grinder"...

via KJIVpost.com

MARIUPOL, Ukraine -- Early on Aug. 29, a column of some 70 Ukrainian armored vehicles rushed from Ilovaisk, a city in Donetsk Oblast, through a corridor offered by Russian troops.
After driving 10 kilometers, the fleeing Ukrainians were instead trapped under massive shelling by cannons and tanks. The armored vehicles caught fire.
“That was a real meat grinder,” Taras Samchuk, 28, soldier of 51th brigade told the Kyiv Post. “One armored vehicle exploded right next to us and the head of its gunner was burning in its helmet.”
The Ukrainian troops lost hundreds of their fighters, including at least 100 killed, with others wounded or captured on the way out of Ilovaisk, a strategic city through which separatists were receiving military supplies from Russia to the besieged provincial capital of Donetsk.

The push by Ukrainian troops is starting to look more and more like a simple tactical problem a future leader of Marines might get at The Basic School.

They walked straight into a trap, over extended their lines and now they're getting throat punched.

Read it all here. 

Vice goes to RIMPAC 2014.

Thanks for the link Tom!



I AM SO SICK OF THIS "RETURN TO OUR AMPHIBIOUS ROOTS" BULLSHIT!

That little talking point needs to be banished from Marine-speak!

Sikorsky S-97 RAIDER coming 10.2.14!

About the murder of Steven Sotloff.

First, if you don't know the details check out this article.

Next time for a little reality boys and girls.

This guy was dead when he showed up in the first video with the other journalist that was killed.

That's the sad fact.

Even if we weren't bombing them, they would have found another excuse to kill him.  That's the way evil works.  It attempts to shock, scare and freeze the actions of good men and women.  They have approx 28 other Americans and we can expect them all to be killed...unless we're willing to throw away the lives of SOCOM on rescue attempts (attempts that just became ALOT more difficult because the White House disclosed that an attempt had already been made).

Steel yourselves (those of you that need to) to the fact that these bastards will kill any American that they lay their hands on.  Resolve yourself to the fact that they can't be reasoned with and the only thing that can be done is to kill them where ever they're found.  Accept the fact that lives will be lost (that doesn't mean to throw them away, simply acknowledging that bad shit happens) while bringing these rabid dogs to heel and understand that some fellow "so called" Americans are hooked in with these fools.  Between this ISIS mess, Ukraine, terrorist in Libya that want to destabilize Egypt, the widespread craziness with terrorist in Africa (along with the Ebola epidemic) and the German economy suddenly going into the red, I SEE NOTHING BUT GLOBAL TROUBLE AHEAD.

KMW's new Air-transportable Special Operation Vehicle

Pic and article via Army Recognition...

Krauss-Maffei Wegmann showed interest in the Bremach chassis in the mid-2000s, as German Special Forces had a requirement for a compact, CH-47-airliftable long-range patrol vehicle. In 2008-09 the Italian company carried out an 11-month test and qualification phase at the WTD 41 proving ground in Meppen, during which the vehicle covered over 10,000 km and demonstrated its capacity to cope with 100% slopes and 58% side slopes, 900 mm fords without preparation and turn in less than 13 metres.
Bremach engineers have since worked closely with KMW designers, and the result is now showcased at MSPO 2014. An open top vehicle, capable to be quickly reconfigured according to the mission, it will be capable to fit inside the principal transport helicopters. The KMW special operations vehicle based on the Bremach chassis should be the first of a family of vehicles based on that particular chassis.
KMW’s Special Operation Vehicle is a new modular system for Special Forces. Air-transportable, the SOV is feated for long-range reconnaissance and special operations. Thanks to the innovative folding roll-bar cuts, the preparation time for internal transport in CH47/53 helicopters downs to under 2 minutes.
With its IVECO 3.0 liter diesel engine (125kW, 400Nm), its heavy-duty chassis and a well-balanced power-to-weight ratio, the SOV combines outstanding mobility with maximum off-road performance, great operation range (900km) and extreme combat power. The chassis provides ballistic protection and a mine protected underside.
KMW’s SOV allows a high firepower level with three different gun mounts, permitting the use of a 12.7mm MG or 40 mm GMW, a 5.56/7.62 mm MG on pedestal mount (commander), a second 5.56/7.62 mm MG on pedestal (rear gunner) and a Wegmann 76/40 mm multi-purpose launcher.

First I owe Shas a punch in the gut.  Why didn't you tell me that MPSO was going on in Poland (oh, thats a military trade-show...they hope to grow it rival other big events)?

Second, this is turning into a hot market.  I like this offering.  Read more by following the above link and you can follow show highlights by going to Army Recognition here. 

How much is the F-35 engine fix costing?

via Naval Today.

This modification provides for support equipment for the F135 propulsion systems to include handling, testing, and maintenance equipment and parts required to keep systems operational such as borescope inspection kits, main engine inlet covers, lift nozzle module slings, lift gearbox adapters, and water wash cart systems.
Work will be performed in East Hartford, Connecticut (90 percent), and Indianapolis, Indiana (10 percent), and is expected to be completed in December 2015.
Fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement (Marine Corps and Air Force) and international partner funds in the amount of $9,468,406 will be obligated at time of award, $8,139,299 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Ok I admit it.

Budgets and finances at the govt level are not my thing, but it appears that they just short fused $8 million dollars to be spent before Oct.

Not only is that fast but that's very fucking fast!  What did they find?  Why are they pushing this into THIS fiscal year instead of waiting an additional month and rolling it into the next?

Something is off, I just don't know what it is.

GruntWorks gives your "ISIS Battalion Briefing"!

via GruntWorks...

Everyone! Around me! NOW!
Listen very fucking closely:

The usual shitbaggery stops TODAY. Platoon Sergeants, Squad Leaders, start getting your people squared away: dime-washer drills, night land-nav, body-armor runs, full-tactical road marches, call for fire classes, middle-eastern culture classes, etc.
Everyone gearing for Pre-Ranger go now. Everyone else get out to the ranges and start putting in work.
It's time to start cutting all loose ends and cleaning up personal shit. This ISIS shit has the potential to get even uglier and that means real shit, real fast. Don't wait for orders, start anticipating and get to work training like these guys are training to kill you and everyone you know, love and care about.
If you're PT deficient, unfuck yourself. If you have girl problems, dial 1-800-dumpahoe and get your mind straight. Train and start acting like your teammate's life depends on you.
Veterans, remember your Oath never expired. Take appropriate measures.
Drink moderately.
Stay away from Ho-Shacks from now on.
Clean up your finances.
Hydrate.
No drugs.
TA-50....get it together. ALL OF IT.
Get current on your jumps.
Square your families away and teach your wives and older kids how to protect hearth and person with firearms and with extreme predjudice. Don't fuck around.
Platoon Sergeants, take charge.

Well I thought it was a mixture of true and funny at the same time.  But this is real in one sense.  This ISIS shit if going to get serious whether we like it or not. 

Republic of Korea Army 26th Mechanized Infantry

NOTE:  Is it just my imagination or are many of the major players in the Pacific a bit cannon heavy when compared to what the USMC and US Army would consider standard?  The S. Koreans and Singapore in particular seem to put a greater emphasis on organic fires when it comes to their mechanized forces than we do.  What do they know that we don't?

Russia's 331st Parachute Regiment (Infantry) takes serious combat hit.

via New Republic.com

Fourteen soldiers have been confirmed dead after two Ukrainian troops blew themselves up to prevent capture by Russian forces.
The two soldiers, majors Alexander Kadesjuk and Alexei Shepeljuk, had been seriously wounded and used grenades to kill themselves during the fierce fighting in the tumultuous border region of Donetsk.
The explosion also killed 12 Russian paratroopers, Ukraine's Ministry of Defence reported today [29 August].
According to witnesses, Kandesyuk and Shepelyuk, members of the 51st brigade of the Ukrainian army, were initially wounded while trying to escape encirclement by a much larger Russian force.
One anonymous witness told Ukraine's defence ministry "there was practically no chance to survive in such hell, so it was decided [by the Ukrainian troops] to break through the encircling forces.
"The majors Olexander Kandesyuk and Olexiy Shepelyuk, who was the commander of an anti-aircraft missiles battery, headed the advanced guard of the breakthrough group. [However] the advanced guard was caught in an ambush."
Kandesyuk was wounded by a machine gun, while Shepelyuk was also hit as he tried to help his comrade.
The Russian soldiers, members of the 331st paratroopers' regiment, then surrounded the Ukrainian troops and tried to take them prisoner.
As the Russian troops edged closer, the injured Ukrainians stood up and raised their hands. Shortly afterwards, witnesses claim one of the soldiers released their grenade, causing a huge explosion.
It is thought that the incident took place on 25 August.

I consider this an ominous turn.

Think about it.  During WW2 on the Western front, allied and German soldiers fought hard but capture while unpleasant, was still better than death and fair treatment could be expected...until the German SS committed war crimes, then the fighting turned even more savage.

The savagery made the fighting on the Eastern front extremely barbaric from day one, and we don't even need to talk about the situation in the Pacific against fanatical Japanese resistance.

The combat in Vietnam had the same hallmarks.  Any and everything was preferable to capture.  I consider what we're seeing in the Middle East against ISIS to be an anomaly.  Whether its cultural or we're just not getting reports to dogged resistance to the end...I just don't know...but to see a couple of Ukrainian officer decide to blow themselves up instead of being captured  indicates to me that what we've seen before is a walk in the park compared to whats about to come.

I say it too much but this shit is getting real.

Major Hat Tip to Predator Intelligence Blog for the story link. 

President Obama To Receive Honorary Green Beret, Induction Into Special Forces Association

FORT BRAGG, NC – The White House Press Office announced today that President Obama will soon be inducted into the Special Forces Association and receive an honorary Green Beret.
Officials have said the honor will be bestowed in an upcoming September 11th ceremony at Fort Bragg.
The honorary beret comes in recognition of the President’s decisive role in covert operations throughout the world during his term — including the killing of Osama bin Laden last year in Pakistan, and his combat action in Afghanistan months ago.
Army Public Affairs has confirmed that Lieutenant General Charles Cleveland will personally present Obama with his beret and a specially engraved Fairbairn-Sykes combat knife.

Read more here. Shaking my fucking head!

Sidenote:  Just a joke.  Relax!

Even Australian food is trying to kill you!

Thanks to the Unwanted Blog for the link!



Remind me to ask ELP and Peter if they eat this stuff!  If the kids are any indication this shit is NASTY!

Mistral BPC to Russia. Why?

Tyler Rogoway has a nice overview of the Mistral BPC sale to Russia over at his blog Foxtrot Alpha.  Check it out here.  For the life of me I'll never understand why the US didn't step in and have these approx 16000 ton ships act as potential "cheap" LHAs/LPDs and test the concept for the USMC before giving them to the US Navy, Coast Guard or even SOCOM to use as they saw fit.

A couple of things are obvious.  We don't want Russia to have this type of power projection and more should have been done to stop the sale.

Polish MSBS going full auto!

Thanks Leetwin for the link!

Pigeons being preyed on by other animals.

You have got to check out this story from IO9.

Quite honestly I never considered why big cities have millions (or so it seems) of pigeons but you never see a dead one lying around.  Now we know.  Predation.  Reading the comments, people were surprised that pelicans would eat pigeons.  They shouldn't have been.  Pelicans will eat almost anything that will fit down its gullet.  Snakes, frogs, stray cats, small dogs...the list goes one.  Some people need to get to the great outdoors and learn the ways of the natural world.

Ukraine 'close to point of no return'

Thanks for the link Joe!

via BBC

Ukraine's president has said his country is "close to a point of no return - full scale-war".
Petro Poroshenko was speaking in Brussels, where he said a meeting of EU leaders had agreed to prepare more sanctions against Russia.
Outgoing EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton earlier accused Russia of "direct aggression" in east Ukraine.
Russia denies that its forces are backing rebels, who have been gaining ground on Ukrainian forces.
Mr Poroshenko said Ukraine was a victim of "military aggression and terror".
He said: "I think that we are very close to the point of no return. Point of no return is full-scale war.
"Any offensive action which would be undertaken [by Russia]... would be a point of no return. And that's why we undertake enormous efforts to stop that."
Mr Poroshenko said that new EU sanctions against Russia would be prepared and would be implemented depending on the success of a proposed peace plan.

Again.

I don't know what to think.  Is this guy trying to push the rest of the  EU and the US to act on behalf of his country or is this a real deal assessment of the facts on the ground.

I have no idea.  I do think the partitioning of Ukraine is all but a done deal though.

US Infantry gotta stick together! via Gruntworks.

From a Gruntworks contributor. Us Infantry gotta stick together! Thanks JB.

So, there I was, in NYC in 2004. Freshly off the plane from my first Combat Tour n the Ghan enjoying a long weekend at home. Full of Piss and Vinegar from surviving ten months in the desert long before FOB's in that shit hole.
So, I decide to head into a random bar after my friends from back home decided to call it a night. Mind you, full of Piss and Vinegar as well as several shots and mugs at this point. Wearing my Combat Infantry hat, as well as a 10th Mountain Division shirt.
I'm pretty sure it was Fleet Week, or maybe there was just a ship docked in the harbor. But, I didn't know that at the time, and when I walked in, was confronted by a whole bar full of seamen in their pretty little white suits getting hammered.
Well, I squeezed into the bar and ordered myself a mug of Sam Adams and continued my drinking from earlier. Would have been a fine drunken night of stumbling around the City, but then some of the squids started talking shit.
Piss and Vinegar kicked in, so I started talking shit back. After a few exchanges things started to get heated. I figured this was going to be a fair fight, and I can take a squid one on one no problem, right?
Well, as he stands in front of me, three of his buddies decide their going to help teach this Army grunt a lesson. At this point, I know I'm about to get my ass beat, but I'm determined to take at least two of these squids to the hospital with me.
We're getting ready to duke it out, this loud voice cuts in over the bar noise:
"Back off Squids! He's with us!"
This big old Gunny (Pretty sure it was a Gunny, had E-7 stripes on his greens) pushes between the squids and drags me to the little table with him and a couple other dudes. Grabs a beer from the Bar and slams it on the table in front of me.
"Us Infantry got to stick together."
The rest of the night is a blur. I don't even know how I got back home that night.
If I ever meet those Marine Grunts again, the next round is on me.