U.S. Marines fly with Norwegian Maritime Helicopter Wing commander @ Exercise Cold Response

American Volunteer Soldiers Used As “Cannon Fodder” In Ukraine

 Thanks to Carlton for the link!

 

Look. I go all over the net...probably places where I shouldn't...several govts that track us all probably know that.

But this shit had me spinning from the start.

Everyone forgot but Ukraine was fucked up before this war started.  The corruption was legion.  They've engaged with the Chinese to sell high tech that WE DID NOT want them to have. They sold weapons to people/countries that we had issues with.

Oh and they had a freaking REGIMENT of NAZIS as part of their battle order.

But the meme of fighting for freedom caught on.  The meme that civilians that never touched a rifle were keeping Russians from rampaging thru the country caught on.

In other words they emoted, believed the bullshit, saw a chance to get out the basement and play Soldier/Marine in far off lands and didn't do the simple research of finding info on how the Ukrainians were getting smashed too.

Additionally when this thing hit a fever pitch they ignored newscasts (I didn't post about it here ... do a little Google search ...you're gonna have to look hard) that stated that when all these people returned from the war how they would have to be monitored by the govt more closely and IGNORED the warning from the Pentagon that former servicemen are asked NOT TO participate in the fighting.

Reality is a bitch.

This ain't an insurgency.

The Ukrainians don't have our (come to find out pretty damn impressive) logistics system.

Plus you're falling into units that you have no identity with (amazingly the only one that MIGHT properly utilize your skills is AZOV and that's only if you're a Nazi too!) and no connection to (which is part of the reason why "new guys" have a hard time even in Western militaries...they're an outsider and not yet part of the family).

But off they went and now we're supposed to be surprised and amazed that they're being used as cannon fodder?

I'd bet many more foreigners than advertised have been prepping the fields for the next planting.  It probably was part of the plan until they reassessed and decided that it would turn the West off to supporting them if a bunch of our sons started coming back in boxes.

This is modern war against a capable foe (you guys really should dig around the internet...Zelensky is asking for peace talks because the pressure is definitely on)....in this type of war you're gonna take hits.  BIG HITS.

Bubbas in the Ukrainian Foreign Legion forgot that.

Everyone is so fascinated by the war but is anyone thinking about AFTER THE WAR????

What if?

What if the land that the Russians has taken is it.  They make no further advances into Ukraine.

What happens then?

Does NATO setup a peacekeeping force in Ukraine?  Does the UN? Does the US participate?

What happens with all the refugees?  Do you think they return or are the permanent residents in the West now?

What happens to Zelensky?  Does he do like most Presidents of war torn countries....leave, hit the lecture circuit, makes millions but doesn't do jack to help the country he once led?

Everyone is so fascinated by the war but is anyone thinking about AFTER THE WAR????  What FURTHER sacrifices are gonna be asked of Western citizens?  The possibility that decisions made today will have a strong bearing on the near future?  What say you?

Terrible but expected. What a waste. The headquarters of the 36th Ukrainian Naval Infantry Brigade based in the southern city of Mykolaiv is no more. UPDATED!

The headquarters of the 36th Ukrainian Naval Infantry Brigade based in the southern city of Mykolaiv is no more. It is now a pile of rubble, where on Saturday rescuers continued to search for bodies of missing marines. https://t.co/KzAIaes0Kn

— New York Times World (@nytimesworld) March 19, 2022

People are posturing and men (on both sides) are dying. I bet money when this is all over we're gonna hear stories about friends, family, relations of some type having killed each other in this fight.

Many talk of the courage to pick up a gun?  Cool.  I got that and I get it (kind funny that the loudest voices in the US will travel halfway around the world but scared to join their local law enforcement but that's a different discussion) but it takes as much or more courage to find peace.

Time for leadership to get courageous.  The time for playing to crowd has long passed.

UPDATE.  Wonder how many guys going over just LARP in their basement and actually have no military experience?

And that is why these amateur fighters do not help anyone

British volunteer fighters may have triggered deadly strike on Ukrainian base after their phones were detected https://t.co/42afRMblxe

— Carlo "Realism, Gedankenfetzen, and Rants" Masala (@CarloMasala1) March 19, 2022

PARS IV 6x6 Special Operations Vehicle has reached the final stage of the durability tests.

PARS IV 6x6 Special Operations Vehicle has reached the final stage of the durability tests. PARS IV 6x6 is promising the highest mobility capabilities among Mine Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicles (MRAP) class.

Is this the future?  360 degree firing arcs (via two RWS) and perhaps enhanced numbers of smoke grenades along with APS? 

A mast sight to see first at distance, along with a couple of scouts that can dismount and take on heavy armor found or call in artillery?

Is a US version of the PARS IV that can swim the future of armor?  If so then the Textron ARV might be just what the doctor ordered.

The only other thing missing would be the ability to launch drones but what size, how far they would fly, do they need to be able to carry a payload or just scout...I just don't know.

Those peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have a chance...if cooler heads prevail

Thanks to Tom for the link!

3/10 Neutral status for Ukraine and restrictions on the volume and types of weapons to be held by the Ukrainian army with external guarantees could probably be agreed in exchange for peace and the lifting of some sanctions relatively quickly.

— Alexander Baunov (@baunov) March 18, 2022

If we can get a relatively quick peace plan approved that could help avoid much drama for the rest of the year.  NOT ALL OF IT, but probably more than 50% of it.

Sanctions relief for Russia?  That would save Europe and the world economy.  If the sanctions remain?  Then you can say goodbye to the current economic system and say hi to that global reset that will reshape the world in totally unpredictable ways.

This is where the US State Dept is so annoying.  They once again take a back seat to the Pentagon.  Why is our activity always kinetic?  What happened to our diplomatic corps?  They should be front and center in this drama, not waiting backstage for events to sort themselves!  A real diplomatic corps would be working to SHAPE things, not react to them!

This is our (America's) greatest weakness.  Everything has devolved to military solutions.  We haven't always been like this.

Members of the @queensyorkrangers and The @gghgofficial fire the TAPV’s remote weapons system at 4th Canadian Division Support Base Petawawa during Ex WORTHY TARGET

1st SFG (A) Green Berets conduct a night raid alongside 3rd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment, Canadian Army during Exercise Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 22-02 at Fort Greely Alaska.

A made for social media drama...

 

As the ambassador of Belarus was leaving Ukraine today, a Ukrainian border guard tossed a bag with coins at him, told him to pass the 30 silver pieces of Judah to the head of Belarusian border service.
Video via @operativnoZSU pic.twitter.com/B1k4ByGuB1

— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) March 19, 2022

Why those coins weren't tossed back at him is beyond me. I guess the dude is built different. But the bigger thing is that this was a made for social media drama. It makes no difference one way or another but is designed to stir the heartstrings.

I guess I've always discounted the hearts and minds thing.  I always believed actual performance mattered.

Apparently I was wrong.

Perception is more important today (at least to many).

The best example is Zelensky.  We've been over the dudes arc and its taken another turn today.

Ukraine demands comprehensive peace talks with Russia to end war

https://t.co/TzC7BUEHlk #UkraineRussiaWar #Zelensky #RussiaInvadedUkraine #RussianUkrainianWar #UkraineUnderAttack

— 24x7 Live India (@24x7Live_India) March 19, 2022

The weird thing is that when you're dealing with equals the word "demand" should never be part of your vocabulary.

The same applies to the US "warning" China of dire consequences if they aid Russia.

Who are we to demand anything (warning of dire consequences is in the same ballpark).

Whether you believe it or not, treating Russia as an enemy while at the same time working with them on a number of issues WAS A PART of why this kicked off.

Zelensky demanding peace talks is another social media drama play.

He should act to save his country and get as many of his citizens back rebuilding it...THEN HE SHOULD SLAM the West for as much aid in rebuilding it as possible.  That should be the play.

The time for social media drama has long passed.  But dude is an actor so what should I expect? 

U.S. Navy participates in French-led Exercise WAKRI in Djibouti

U.S. Navy Reserve members with the Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 10 (MSRON 10), out of Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, prepare for the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations.

Members of the French Armed Forces head to shore during the amphibious assault portion of French-led Joint Exercise WAKRI 22, Port of Djibouti, Djibouti, March 13, 2022. French-U.S. partnership during the exercise demonstrates Allied interoperability capabilities in austere and complex locations.