Thursday, January 30, 2020

US Army got a new helmet or is this just for Paratroopers?



Saw this pic on the 82nd's Instagram Page and I noticed the cut of the helmet. That's new.  Is it Army wide or just for the 82nd?  I know Special Ops is all on the Ops Core train so they're probably not switching.  Anyone know? Is the USMC gonna be buying them soon?
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2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, with support from 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, conducted air assault operations




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169 people killed in China by the Coronavirus...





How many people remember the book "Andromeda Strain"?  One of those pics kinda reminds me of it.


This ain't nearly as bad but it kinda rhymes.  An outbreak in a city instead of small town.  Govt trying desperately to control it.

Why do I cover this?

Because I believe the Chinese are lying about the severity of the outbreak. I believe our govt is helping in the lie to keep the economy booming.  I believe other govts are lying to protect global trade.  And I think the news media is ignoring the thing because they're so focused on the impeachment.

Suffice it to say that I think they're all behind the power curve.

Time will tell.


 

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I don't know if this is pure genius or just plain terrible...

Hat tip to Nicholas Drummond's Twitter page for finding this contraption...

Is this batshit crazy or the best thing since sliced bread.  I don't know.  Everyone is vehicle dependent these days.  How do you find room in the back of the helicopter, AAV, landing craft, etc...along with the rest of the stuff you're supposed to carry?
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Open Comment Post. 30 Jan 2020


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Northern Viper 2020....pics by Cpl. Cameron Parks







 








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Wednesday, January 29, 2020

"Head Cavity Search" conducted prior to recovering missing sniper rifle...

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On June 16, 2006 Scout snipers from 3rd BN, 5th Marines killed an enemy sniper and recovered a Marine M40A1 sniper rifle lost nearly two years prior almost to the day during a mission near Habbaniyah. The rifle was the one formerly used by four Marines of 2/4 who were killed on a rooftop in Ramadi June 21, 2004. Sniper Section Four was in a hide when the spotter observed a military-aged male inside a nearby parked car videotaping a passing patrol of amphibious assault vehicles. The Marines saw a rifle stock by the insurgents side. Moments later, the insurgent would receive a precise head cavity search along with his spotter who received multiple rounds to the chest. The weapon came full circle, having originally belonged to the Darkhorse battalion in OIF I, who turned it over to the "Magnificent Bastards" of 2/4. Coincidentally, it was a Darkhorse sniper who killed the insurgent sniper, and a former Magnificent Bastard killed the spotter. . "The very fact it was one of our snipers that killed theirs trying to use our rifle is poetic justice. It's very rewarding to take them out the way we did, even though it won't bring back the four Marines who were killed that day." . Personal note: When I was in Ramadi, we knew the story of the 04 ambush was true, but always thought the rumors of finding the missing sniper rifle were just that, rumors. Fucking karma. #marines #hogs #zerofoxtrot #stayzero
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Poetic Justice Indeed!
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Patria’s 6x6 platform chosen as part of a joint Finnish-Latvian vehicle development programme



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You want a dispersed Marine Expeditionary Force aboard ship? Then buy the Mistral Class LHD...


The Commandant has made a call for Marines to operate among a large variety of warships so that a dispersed force can be realized.

The problem?

Putting penny packets of Marines onboard existing Navy ships that aren't focused on the getting Marines ashore and are too small/specialized to assist in the naval fight is a non-starter.

A few Marines aboard a destroyer that is hookin' and jabbin' at sea is going to have a hard time flexing to getting Marines ashore.  Same goes for Frigates.

A few fast transports that are ill suited to amphibious operations isn't gonna help either.

So what is the answer.

We look at what others are using and pick the best of breed to enhance our operations. 

So what is that ship?

The Mistral Class LHD.  It brings to the table several pluses.  Outside of the Harrier/F-35 it can field Marine Air (helos) from the MV-22, CH-53, AH-1Z, UH-1Y and upcoming unmanned combat tilt wings.

It can carry ACVs/AAVs and LCACs for surface assault.  It can deploy small boats. 

In essence it is a chance to free up America Class ships to become what everyone seems to want.  F-35 carriers.

Coming in at 16,500 tons empty its smaller than a San Antonio Class LPD and in my estimation more useful.

Its a win win.  Just build it in the USA and call it a day.  If the French would sell the plans to the Russians you know they'll sell it to us!
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If the Coronavirus is no big deal then why did they divert this flight?




 

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Russian Army Msta-S self-propelled howitzers on exercise...






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VDV's 98th Airborne Division's 331st Guards Airborne Regiment based in Kostroma conducted the first live fire training exercise of the year

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Exercise Northern Viper

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Finnish Army - Amos Unit Training..




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Open Comment Post. 29 Jan 2020


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Perfection in details: MiG-35 multirole jet fighter





I'm beginning to wonder if "lightweight" fighters have a future in modern aerial combat.

The US is making (or supposed to be) a turn to the Pacific so range is important increasing size.  Stealth features are important which increases size.  Carriage of weapons is important which increases size.  More numerous/powerful avionics are required which COULD increase size.

Said all that to ask.  Does the MiG-35 have a future.  Does the F-16 (which I would claim has gone from light to medium weight) have a future?

Do airplanes that met their original form factor have a future?  The more I think about it the more I think not.
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AV-8 Mortar Carrier...

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Royal Air Force Chinooks from 27th Squadron leave Norway to join Royal Marines 3 Commando for training in the arctic.




Don't know what's going on up there but the Brits are going big on the Arctic training.  It's a shame that the USMC had obligations elsewhere and couldn't participate.  We keep hearing about the Arctic being a vital area, but so far the Brits, Dutch, Swedes, and Finns have been more focused than we have.

I wonder.

Should our focus be a bit closer to home?  Maybe team with the Canadians to secure the area closer to our home?  

If we are able to secure the area just north of Alaska (and other areas here) with the help of the Canadians then flexing toward Europe will be easier since we know that not only is Russia making a push there but so are the Chinese.
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Protolab PMPV mine testing...






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908th EARS refuels Marine F/A-18 Hornets









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