Beirut clashes continue...

This striking footage shows a woman in Beirut hitting a tear gas canister with a tennis racket as protesters clash with security forces. Anti-government sentiment in Lebanon continues after the devastating explosion that killed at least 200 people last week pic.twitter.com/7JbTiVzxaU

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) August 12, 2020

Blackburn Buccaneer was a beast!

Footage from BBC’s Sailor of flight deck ops with Blackburn Buccaneers aboard HMS Ark Royal. pic.twitter.com/jLrLkUyNxb

— Carry On Strategy (@CarryStrategy) August 11, 2020

Funny thing?

I contend that the Royal Navy was more powerful back in the day and would be even today (if modernized) with the aircraft it once had.

The same could be said of the Missile Marines.

If its about the sea battle then tinkering at the edges and playing with a few ground launched anti-ship missiles ain't gonna cut it.

First thing is that the US Army can designate the 25th ID as its "Pacific Force in Readiness" and tailor that outfit to fight the sea battle too.  It can EASILY assemble more anti-ship missiles in that one unit than the entire Missile Marines can.

It can climb aboard Navy ships too and while not optimized for amphibious operations neither will the Missile Marines be optimized.

Additionally the low hanging fruit is a proper naval strike platform.  The F-35B just don't cut the mustard in that regard.  The Super Hornet is adequate but not ideal either...but its better than what the Missile Marines will be fielding but that part is being ignored by HQMC.

There are so many holes in this concept that you can drive a M1A2C thru it.

This concept is idiotic.  It's dead on arrival.  It's a continuation of the filth that's infected HQMC.

I could accept bureaucracy.  I can't accept legacy building and pie in the sky thinking...especially when it comes to the future of the Marine Corps.

One last thing.

What happened to the joint fight.  Where is the Navy & Air Force in this whole thing.  The only organization that is moving forward in a coherent manner is the US Army.  Everyone else is adrift in obvious confusion.  The legacy of the last 3 commandants is one of failure.  This will end badly.

Late Open Comment Post. 12 Aug 2020

God save me.  I'm officially a Gold Noob now.

Defender Europe 20 Phase II Combined Live Fire Exercise

USS America conducts flight operations

I've never really posted much from the USAF cause quite frankly I'm just not feeling it.  The Missile Marines are down the same lane now so expect pic posting from the New Marine Corps to slow down considerably.

What you will see is an increase in the coverage of armor/ground forces from all over the globe.  Australia is doing some interesting things as is Poland.  So  is the EU, Russia, China, a few Middle East states, a couple of African nations....I'll be looking for Ministries of Defense in those nations so we can get their stuff up on the blog.

Open Comment Post. 11 Aug 2020

The USMC Postmortem...a series of essays...

A quick one today folks.  Work has me slammed but I did find something to keep you occupied till I climbed back into things full blast Weds.  The Brute Krulak Center calls it "The USMC Postmortem" and its a sobering read.

Check it out here.

One warning though.  To my amazement and happiness it seems that there are others in the Marine Corps that have some of the same thoughts and concerns that I have.

Long story short?  Some other people see these moves leading to the end of the Marine Corps too.  Be quick!  The Commandant will have this taken down once it starts getting circulated. If you can't find just hit me up.  I downloaded it and have a backup of the backup!

A Royal Navy Lynx Wildcat helicopter sporting her impressive 20 Sea Martlet missile loadout....via Military Reddit

Does becoming part of the Army make sense?

I'm BEGINNING to understand why Berger is making the changes he is but I still can't get aboard.  The Naval Fight is PRIMARILY a NAVY responsibility.  They're making NO CHANGES at this time while the Missile Marines are wrecking its enter existence to save them from a fight they don't appear to be preparing for, are making no substantial changes to fight it, don't seem interested in any of the above and unfortunately the Missile Marines will have little influence on.

With that being said does it make sense for the Marines to become part of the Army?

What are the advantages of such a move?  One I can see is a chance for more schools for the average Marine.  I don't think they would mess with our heritage and would simply absorb us as one of its specialized units.

The 82nd has its own identity, as does the Rangers and even the 25th ID.  We would lose a seat at the JCS but I see that coming soon anyway.  We'd lose some funding for aircraft but gain it in armored vehicles.  A bunch of General slots would go away, Colonels would start disappearing but for the rest of the force it would probably be a good move.

I'm looking hard but I don't see how it would be such a bad thing.  Can anyone help me out?  Berger is tossing tradition, smashing our legacy and remaking us into something I can't recognize.  Would a move over to the Big Green be as chaotic as what the Marines are going thru now?

Open Comment Post. 10 Aug 2020

Shot a helluva lot of gold in this game.  Seems to be the only way to make this tank work.  Funny thing?  I have a SEVEN SKILL CREW, vents, optics, those new see thru foliage/on the move optics, coca-cola and that boost for vents and I'm still getting wrecked at night.

Is it time to upgrade the computer or is this the state of World Of Tanks now?

Sidenote.  Tier 9 games I can hold my own, Tier 8 I'm ok but if I'm top tier I rule, Tier 10 games I'm getting fucked with a cactus.  Is that how it is now?

Naval V-280

I did a blog post where I talked about doing a Marine Aviation "NeckDown" right and chose the V-280 as the next attack/utility airplane for the Corps.

Many thought that it didn't exist but Bell already proposed a variant of the airplane.

I hope this clears things up.  Article on it by Naval Recognition here.

Startling implications about the F-35 and the US fighter fleet into the future in Breaking Defense article..

This Breaking Defense article has some startling implications about the F-35 and the future US fighter fleet.  Here are just a few of the passages that caught my attention but the whole thing is a must read....

“Most people don’t think of F-35s as electronic warfare aircraft—but they are, and they are incredibly capable,” Mark Gunzinger, director for future concepts and technology assessments at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, told Breaking D in an email today. (Breaking D readers have known that for a much longer time than most.)

“F-35s have EW suites that can detect emissions from radars and other threats, classify and geolocate them, and then distribute threat data to other aircraft. They can also perform active EW tasks such as standoff jamming of airborne and surface threats. Their active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars can also conduct electronic attacks,” he explained.

This chestnut has been tossed around forever.  That the F-35 is a capable electronic attack platform.  My refrain has always been that it's nothing special...they're just using the AESA array to do the deed.  This article pushes my thinking to the forefront.

The implication is that 4th gen fighters with AESA also have this capability.  The worry is that means that threat aircraft that aren't dedicated Electronic Warfare platforms can still play havoc with us, just as we can with them.

Comms will be important in the future and operating with them being negated or degraded is gonna be important.

 That capability was also on display during the 2020 version of the annual Orange Flag exercise at Edwards AFB in California. The Air Force F-35A collected targeting data and bounced it to a U-2 spy plane service as an airborne communications node, as well as to a simulated Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS). IBCS, as Breaking D readers know, is the Army’s high-priority command and control system for its missile defense weapons — a system that Strategic Command chief Adm. Charles Richards says is critical to enabling all domain operations. 

The US Army.  All climes and places rears its head again.  Just plain wow.  So in addition to providing armored/mechanized forces for the entire US military they're also taking the lead in an integrated air and missile defense network?

Interesting.  I once thought you couldn't go to war without the US Navy...from logistics to firepower the Navy was essential.  Looks like going into the future the US Army will wear that crown.

 “Perhaps most importantly, many believe that stealth is perishable anyway — implying the need, at least in the future, for EA/SEAD cooperation,” Teal Group’s Richard Aboulafia told Breaking D in an email today.

But also, the new emphasis on EA and SEAD has been borne of choices made by the Air Force itself, largely due to budgetary pressures.

“Originally, USAF wanted to be an all fifth-gen force, with no need of Electronic Attack/SEAD. Then, it was a division of labor—fifth-gen for kicking down the door; legacy assets for day two and beyond,” Aboulafia explained. “But it’s increasingly clear that the Navy will have very little fifth-gen, and that they’ll need to cooperate. And given the F-15 procurement re-start, it’s clear that the Air Force will need to work with fourth-gen platforms in many roles for many decades to come.”

This dude is spinning.  4th gen planes were gonna be in the inventory for a long time after the F-35 entered service from the start. 

Seems like the implication is that not only are the F-35's vulnerable (like how he said that SOME say stealth is perishable) but also that they will (like the F-117 and B-2) need electronic warfare aircraft to tag along to protect them.

Additionally is it a worry about the types of munitions the F-35 is cleared (or not cleared) to carry or is it a worry about the number that will be available?  Either way it's not good.

Anyway its a must read article (here). 

HMLA-169 conduct a Defense of Amphibious Task Force for Trident Storm

Hmm.  Two things.  Where was this simple (and often suggested solution on this blog) for dealing with Iranian gunboats?  Ya know the reason for being for the LCS!  Lastly does this mean that we can see the rebirth of Navy helicopter attack squadrons (forgot what they were called in Vietnam but they did some serious work).

Five Chinese Type-071 LPDs....my personal calculations have the Chinese Navy eclipsing the US Navy by 2030!

Thanks to Filippo for the pic!

click on pic to expand..panoramic!

This blog has been so focused on Marine Corps Force Design 2030 that we've missed the real story.

The US Navy is about to be eclipsed by the Chinese Navy.

Let that sink in.

Back of the napkin figuring has me thinking that by 2030 the Chinese Navy will AT LEAST equal the US Navy in the number of surface combatants and will probably exceed them.

I'm not talking about frigates and below either.

I'm talking Burke Class and above!

Is this the real reason behind the move to join the sea battle?  If it is then Berger should have been clear instead of leaving this important part of the discussion unsaid.

If this theory (my grade school calculations) is correct then are we doing enough?  More importantly is the NAVY!

Of course this still makes one wonder why we aren't pushing Marine Air to contribute more to the sea fight if this is the case.  Half of our fighter attack squadrons can rededicate to the sea fight without loss of ground combat power and we could still maintain a credible ground combat element.

But this theory does explain why Berger's gone so hog wild.

Army's first laser battalion

via Task & Purpose.

The Defense Department expects to stand up its first battalion of Stryker vehicles outfitted with high-powered laser weapons by sometime next year, Army officials say.

“Expect to have the first battalion fielded in 2021 with four battalions by 2023,” U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command chief Lt. Gen. Dan Karbler told the audience at the virtual Space Missile Defense symposium on Tuesday

The so-called "laser battalion," as Defense One described it, would eventually deploy the new 50 kw Directed Energy-Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (DE-MSHORAD) Stryker that the Army is working to field by 2022, a ten-fold power increase over the 5 kw-class system that artillery soldiers have been testing in Germany since early 2018.
Defense contractors Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are currently competing to manufacture the new laser system, with plans for a "shoot off" between the two prototypes at Fort Sill in Oklahoma sometime in May 2021, according to Breaking Defense.

A platoon of four laser Strykers prototypes will end up in the hands of an actual combat unit sometime in 2022, according to Breaking Defense, with the laser system integrated into the vehicles' existing hardware as soon as this December.

Wow.  The US Army is on it's SHIT!  I love the moves they're making.  Evolving the force instead of seeking radical transformation.

They're doing it right!

Remains of missing Marines, Sailor successfully recovered

via DVIDS

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The remains of seven Marines and a Sailor were successfully recovered Aug. 7, 2020, after underwater salvage operations following the July 30 mishap involving an amphibious assault vehicle off the coast of San Clemente Island.

The recovered Marines and Sailor will soon be transferred to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, for preparation by mortuary affairs teams for burial. Marine and Navy pallbearers will place the remains aboard an aircraft bound for Dover AFB in a solemn transfer. From Dover AFB, their remains will then be released to their families in accordance with their wishes.
The transfer of remains will not be open to the public, and we ask that the privacy of the families be respected as they make final arrangements for their loved ones.

“Our hearts and thoughts of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit are with the families of our recovered Marines and Sailor,” said Col. Christopher Bronzi, commanding officer of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “We hope the successful recovery of our fallen warriors brings some measure of comfort.”

The U.S. Navy has led the underwater search and salvage efforts. Specialized equipment on a diving and salvage ship to recover the remains and AAV arrived Aug. 6 to relieve the crew of HOS Dominator, who stayed in position after locating the site.

Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez, 19, of New Braunfels, Texas, also died in the AAV mishap and was pronounced dead at the scene July 30. His remains were transferred Aug. 5 to Dover AFB.

The sunken AAV has been successfully recovered. The cause of the July 30 incident is under investigation.

Well at least they got this done.  God bless the families of the fallen.

Exercise Deep Water 2020 Air Assault

If you're doing a platoon sized raid of course you're gonna grab the nearest SEAL Team or Special Forces Unit.

If you're doing company and above who would be your choice?  Would you reach for a few from the Ranger Bns?  If its an Air Assault would you reach for some bubbas from the 82nd or 101st?  Hell if its Air Assault why not the 10th Mountain or 25th ID?  Why would you choose Marines?  Would you choose Marines?

My point is that this isn't special.  Air Assaults are ordinary.  Airfield seizures are ordinary.

Everyone does it now.

When was the last time you heard Marine Corps leadership talk about seizing a port?

When you start doing what everyone else is you're ordinary, not unique...not special.

Combined Anti-Armor Team 1, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)

Is the additional weight, height and limited mobility really an upgrade over the HUMVEE?  I don't think so.  Mobility is king if you can't have enough armor to shrug off enemy hits.  We haven't taken a good look at the JLTV on these pages, but if you want to see a vehicle built for the last war, here it is.  The plan to keep MRAPs in storage for use if needed was a better plan than to try and build it into our utility vehicles.

Open Comment Post. 8 Aug 2020

UAVs are gonna be flying around like flies on future battlefields...

The level of innovation from Israel is just amazing‼️‼️

SpearUAV has unveiled Ninox – a Unique Encapsulated Drone System for Instant ISTAR Capabilities

Immediately launched, the encapsulated drone system provides an on-demand, on the move, instant drone intel capability

1/2 pic.twitter.com/VEzgWfAMhG

— Vayu Aerospace Review (@ReviewVayu) August 7, 2020

We're gonna need something a bit more effective than kinetic solutions to the future UAV threat.  With companies developing lightweight, truly manportable UAVs, the danger is real not imaginary.

When you have a single platoon that can have every swinging dick and ovary carrying their own personal UAV then you have a problem for you or your enemy (whoever happens to be so equipped).

What has me spinning is this realization.  Armor will have to readjust on the fly (pun intended).  The previous threat was IEDs all over the place.  I'm betting the future it'll be UAVs.  That means that either we develop some type of CIWS for almost EVERY vehicle or we develop a system that can effectively protect a dispersed platoon. 

The 21st Century.  The hits just keep coming.