Wednesday, October 07, 2020
French Scorpion Program Vehicles @ PCAT 2020
Très belle répétition pour la #PCAT2020 aujourd'hui avec les véhicules du programme #SCORPION à l'honneur ! pic.twitter.com/Fxcvti5TPE
— Nexter_Group (@Nexter_Group) October 7, 2020
China builds a Wiesel clone...
The Chinese have absolutely NO shame. Ya know what the problem is though. They'll copy it and product improve it! Diabolical!
Now we know what will happen to the Marine Corps LHA/LHDs...the Missile Marine Corps will turn them into Light Carriers to augment the big deck carriers. But what about the LPDs?
via Naval Institute News.
Esper’s Battle Force 2045, which he rolled out during an online event today at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, lays out plans for achieving a fleet of 500 manned and unmanned ships by 2045, and a fleet of 355 traditional battle force ships by 2035 – all in a resource-constrained budget environment.
First, he said, the fleet would have a larger and more capable attack submarine fleet of 70 to 80 SSNs.
“If we do nothing else, the Navy must begin building three Virginia-class submarines a year as soon as possible,” he said in the event during his opening remarks. “If we do nothing else, we should invest in attack submarines,” he repeated later during a question-and-answer session.
Esper also called for refueling a total of seven Los Angeles-class SSNs, compared to the five or six the Navy had previously discussed, and invest heavily in the SSN(X) future submarine program.
Second, Esper stated that nuclear-powered aircraft carriers would remain the most visible deterrence on the seas, but he said a new future air wing would have to be developed to increase their range and lethality, and that light carriers would have to supplement the Nimitz- and Ford-class supercarriers to help achieve greater day-to-day presence while preserving limited CVN readiness, which has been strained recently by overuse and backups at maintenance yards. Up to six light carriers, possibly based on the America-class amphibious assault ship design, would operate both instead of and alongside the CVNs.
I've wondered what the Missile Marines were gonna do with the LHA/LHD since they would no longer be needed for the amphibious assault mission (remember Berger tossed the idea of amphibious forcible entry into the trash can) and now we know.
They're gonna use them for a bullshit light carrier mission.
Never mind that they're not designed for that role.
Marine Aviation has been tossed a temporary bone to keep them at the table (and prevent them from joining with the Ground Combat Element in being repulsed by this idea).
I say temporary because all that money the Missile Marines are tossing to aviators that left the service (up to 100 thousand dollars to return to active duty) is just a short term fix.
Check this out from the same article.
Sixth, he said, the Navy would need unmanned aircraft launching off carrier decks to cover all the missions of today’s air wing: fighters, refueling, early warning and electronic attack. He alluded this recently while speaking to sailors aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USNI News previously reported.
Read the article to get the flavor for yourself and develop your own opinion. Oh but let me leave you with this.
Remember me telling you that those Light Amphibious Ships was a shatterpoint for this whole concept? Behold!
And lastly, he pledged his support for the Marines’ Force Design 2030 effort and the new classes of ships and connectors needed to accomplish this, though he added that more work would be needed in this area.
Amazing.
The current individual sitting in the Commandant's chair will be a lame duck by the end of next year. The bubba sitting in the SecDef's chair will be gone sooner no matter how the election turns out.
These plans are D-E-A-D. DEAD!
They worked hard to produce a steaming pile of shit.
Sidenote. The answer to what will happen to the LHA/LHDs has been answered. So let's assume that this abomination actually gets done. What happens to the LPDs the Marine Corps demanded it needed and now a few years later appears to have no need for?
Tuesday, October 06, 2020
NATO BATTLEGROUP LATVIA @ Silver Arrow 2020
#SILVERARROW2020 was the exercise for all combat & combat support trades #eFP BG #Latvia integrating with the Latvian Brigade. We have successfully integrated all 10 nations to conduct defensive operations to protect Latvia from any potential threat. #StrongerTogether #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/qu4CuaMxio
— NATO eFP Battle Group Latvia (@eFPBGLatvia) October 6, 2020
Their minds just snapped via ZuluFucxs Instagram Page...
 |
| “It was the fourth day after we landed, I was all alone, lying on a slope on the edge of an airfield, when I heard some ships’ horns sounding. And cheering started from guys in the foxholes. I casted my eyes to the summit of Surabachi, and there was the flag! What a feeling that was! I felt ecstasy! I knew it was all over. So many of us had been killed. We made it through... I quickly realized it wasn't over at all. I endured the entire 37-day fight, day after bloody day. I hate to use this term, but Iwo Jima was really a killing ground. Hate to say that, but that’s exactly what it was. I came across Marines sitting on the ground, hands to their faces, sobbing their hearts out. Their minds just snapped. Toward the end we were told to go pick up the dead Marines and put them on the edge of the road to be picked up by truck and taken to the cemetery. Many of them have been laying there for a week or so. A lot of guys grabbed a dead Marine by the arm or leg—and it would come off. Long trenches were scooped out in the ground, then row after row of dead Marines were wrapped in their ponchos and laid to rest. I remember looking for the grave sites of my buddies who were killed.. I then realized I was looking over the graves of thousands of young Americans who gave their lives, many too young to have learned what life was all about. That wasn’t a pleasant sight, as a matter of fact, I don’t remember ever seeing a pleasant sight on Iwo. Except the ship when we left. Out of the 50 men I landed with, only myself and 5 others survived." – PFC Bill Montgomery, 2nd Bn, 26th Marines, 5th MarDiv, Iwo Jima survivor. |
Astounding gallantry and bravery tossed into the trash heap of history in pursuit of a new "operating concept" and "transformation".
Our honored dead are probably mortified.
German "HEER" Steel on the heath...
Stahl auf die Heide bringt das #Panzerlehrbataillon93 in #Bergen. Für die Besatzungen der #Leopard2 #Kampfpanzer geht es um Taktik, Treffsicherheit & natürlich #Teamgeist. #PanzerHurra #TrefferZielMitte
— Heer (@Deutsches_Heer) October 1, 2020
Mehr Infos zur schwersten Raubkatze vom #Heer: 👉https://t.co/ciOhVAVz9M pic.twitter.com/VW0QuDnTQ8
Non-White Proud Boy says that the entire organization denounces white supremacy?
“I will go out and say that the #ProudBoys as a whole, I will say this on behalf of the entire national organization, denounce white supremacy." - Thad, Chief of the Proud Boys Salt Lake Utah Chapter pic.twitter.com/WGlUEx3jeF
— 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐞𝐞 (@brian_schnee) October 1, 2020
Amazing.
The old Soviet Union spy masters predicted this. They said we would live in a "land of mirrors" and wouldn't be able to tell up from down before it was all over.
I wonder if historians will say that while we chest thumped about winning the cold war, in actuality both sides lost?
This dude gets it when it comes to the Coronavirus...
This guy gets it!
Of course we protect the weak, the infirm, the feeble, the elderly and those that are at risk....BUT...the rest of society moves forward boldly!
Instead those that are supposedly experts want to stall out not only the economy but our lives! How many will die because they weren't able to get medical treatment for current illnesses? How many will die because of poverty that they were forced into because of the economic distressed caused because they couldn't work? How many families will fail?
My point?
WE HAVE ALLOWED THE CURE TO BE WORSE THAN THE DISEASE! WE WERE ONLY SUPPOSE TO FLATTEN THE CURVE...WE WERE TOLD TO EXPECT THIS DISEASE TO LAST FOR ONE OR TWO YEARS!
Somehow that has been forgotten and everyone is demanded to be made to feel "safe".
There is NO safety in life! Life itself is RISK!
The Lynx and Boxer look AWESOME coming off that Antonov....
The future is now.
— Eamon (@eamhale) October 6, 2020
This is amazing and such a fantastic step for the Australian Army.
Between Boxer, M1A1 and Lynx, Australia would be fortunate to have 3 of the best AFVs in the world. pic.twitter.com/tRhGM1rhhF
The Brits are starting the uncomfortable conversation about how sailing the S. China sea increases their security...
Predictable.My question for advocates of this posture is: what’s your causal theory of how sailing one of our scarce, costly aircraft carriers through the South China Sea increases net UK security?
— David Blagden (@blagden_david) October 6, 2020
That’s all it comes down to. But you have to have one. https://t.co/WtT9plw3YX
This is the fallacy of the partnership nonsense that the Pentagon is so in love with. Operating together during peacetime is one thing. Doing it during times of war is another.
Oh, and with certain foes the State Dept and Pentagon will come to realize that those easy alliances that they foresee are fleeting at best.
This is another shatterpoint for Berger's concept. You might partner when things are calm but as soon as some of those so called allies see shit heating up they're gonna bail.
What's the solution?
Build partnerships and invest time with steadfast allies. You know Australia is on our side. Same with Japan. S. Korea will need to be persuaded but they should also come down on our side of the ledger too (hopefully). The rest of Asia? Doubtful. European countries? I can Poland getting into the fight (they seem like they like a good brawl...might not bring alot but they're up for a good scrap), the UK will be stalled and the Germans will be nowhere to be found. I have no idea about Italy/Spain and France will probably try and broker a peace deal.
Long story short?
Putting our planes on that Brit carrier is nothing but theater!
Missile Marines mechanized operations equals JLTVs????
Note. How far the Missile Marines have fallen. Mechanized operations for this new bitched up force equals JLTVs. Fucking 21st century jeeps are now the combat rides of our Missile Marines. PATHETIC!!!!
PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 9, 2020) U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) gather in groups during a rehearsal for mechanized operations aboard dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42). Germantown, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 31st MEU team, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Danny Gonzalez)
Monday, October 05, 2020
Special relationship? Where do the Brits rank with regard to our alliance in comparison to other countries?
I've been getting pushback on my little blog post about the Brits saying they have a carrier but the US actually owning it.
In my mind it brings up a bigger issue.
We supposedly have a special relationship with the Brits but is it a one way street?
By that I mean do they even have enough combat power to be relevant or would their participation simply be a bit of marketing to a possibly skeptical world?
Let's look at Europe. Where do the Brits stand when it comes to combat power? I tried to make a list but after France and the Poles I was lost. Needless to say the Brits weren't in the top 3 spots.
What about in the Pacific? Again I'd have to rank Australia as higher than the Brits. S. Korea and Japan too.
My point is this.
It might be a bitter pill to swallow and God knows I don't want Think Defence or Drummond's hate but on what are we basing this "special relationship"? From the outside looking in and I hope I'm wrong but the Brits are a RAPIDLY declining military power.
Convince me I'm wrong!
Politics Talk. A morbid & stunning meme is hitting the net.
I've been hitting the Twitter to see what's going on the in the world. Trump heading home was the headlines, trouble (big trouble) in Kazakhstan and the ongoing meat grinder between the known two countries.
What stunned me is this meme that's hitting now. People are actually posting a timeline of Cain's covid infection to his death. I consider that a bit morbid and unfortunately I find it a bit stunning.
This is some low shit (in my opinion). It's out there so here it is so you can decide.
A humbling Herman Cain/coronavirus timeline:
— Tim O'Brien (@TimOBrien) October 5, 2020
6/24: Attends Trump rally, maskless
7/2: Tests positive for Covid-19
7/10: Says he’s improving
7/15: Says his doctors seem happy
7/27: Says he’s really getting better
7/30: Dies
Opinons?
Thoughts?
A famous author (and former naval officer) gives words of wisdom about the Missile Marine Corps...
The above quote is simple. Plainly said. Easily understood. The Missile Marines are over specializing. I've seen cute phrases being tossed around to hide the truth. Words like "Mini-MAGTF". Still being able to conduct offensive operations. More useful in the greater scheme to the defense of the US.
Utter bullshit.
The good news?
The battle is now fully engaged. The Marine Corps is divided on this plan and FINALLY I'm getting word that there is not only unease but raging debates in places that you and I can't go.
That is good news folks! But let me leave you with this...
The Marine Corps was a whole different creature but this Commandant is seeking not only to shed our battle winning air ground task forces (let's be real...mini this or that is just lipstick on a pig...they will be incapable of performing any other mission...HA/DR you're kidding right...forcible entry, well Berger wants out of that...that just leaves chucking missiles!) but also seeks to tuck back under the Navy when so many greats sought independence!
Mark my words.
The budget, bad planning, failure to properly communicate his plans, failure to get the Marine Corps behind his vision and unfortunately probably some major event will totally derail Berger's masterpiece.
He will go down as another in a line of failed commandants. From Amos forward we've been screwed!
Sidenote. Still waiting to see what happens to the son of a bitch general in Europe. Don't take this long to investigate something like this. Berger will sweep this shit. That's what they do.
Sidenote 1. He's got two years. Well really one. His last year will be lame duck so if he can't get it done in 2021 then it won't happen. He won't be able to. The problem (cause I'm certain of his failure) is that he'll leave the Marine Corps in a murky middle ground. The next guy will have to clean up the horrible mess he's gonna leave behind.
How is it YOUR carrier strike group if you DON'T own the planes?
The Royal Navy's new #CarrierStrikeGroup has assembled for the first time. @HMSQNLZ has been joined by eight other ships in the North Sea, marking the beginning of a new era of operations.
— Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) October 5, 2020
🔗 https://t.co/JhZ1oY9GaF pic.twitter.com/ZjQBllJjFb
Sorry but this ain't crossdecking folks! Sidenote. Please spare me Royal Navy boosters on the idiocy of posting pics of US aircraft on British carriers in the past...this is a whole different animal and you know it! This is the US Missile Marines putting its aircraft on a British carrier for a full freaking deployment!
Ok. Fair enough right?
WRONG!
I've tried to leave this alone but this chest thumping from across the pond is getting to be a bit irritating.
HOW is it YOUR carrier strike group if you DON'T own the planes? Let's say the Brits get a wild hair up their arses (like how I did that) and decide they want to conduct strikes in Mali. Let's also say that Trump decides he's had enough of these entanglements in small wars.
Do you really believe that Missile Marines would fly those strikes?
This is theater. The only real question is whether or not the British public believes the spectacle. My assumption is they don't, but it is 2020 so anything is possible.
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