Amphibious Combat Vehicle pics...MEGA THREAD (USMC did a pic dump last week)

Note. These pics are from a bit of shipboard action, an officer training course (IRC) and some other activity that escapes me. They hit last week but I'm just swinging around to posting them.

This is another point of confusion for me with FD2030.  This vehicle would fit the old Corps but with FD2030 it should be canned.

CB90s fit the mission of coastal defense and littoral combat much better than the Amphibious Combat Vehicle.  Additional confusion comes from the increased procurement. If any part of the portfolio should be slow walked you would think it would be this.

Are we seeing an indication of hedging?  I doubt it. Berger has been singularly focused on the Indo-Pacific.  I say again. The ACV makes no sense for the force design being pursued.  The CB90 makes nothing but sense for the coastal defense/littoral combat mission.

Sidenote.  It finally dawned on me.  I finally hit on what the USMC is transitioning to...I mean we have a real life example. The USMC is turning into a butched up version of the Swedish Amphibious Corps. Check it out here.

 

Did you catch this tidbit about Force Design 2030?

FD is evolving and its going to evolve right? How many of you missed this via Marine Times

“I don’t think the Marine Corps will be terminating our design efforts anytime soon,” Dunne said.

Experimentation has showed signs of where the games got it wrong, Dunne said. For example, the Marine Corps cut too many law enforcement and engineer assets. He says he knows the Corps plans to restore those capabilities but did not give any details on when or how that would take place.

Here 

In my neck of the woods there is a saying that you measure twice and cut once.

I think that applies worldwide UNLESS you're Commandant of the Marine Corps and you're simply pursuing radical change because radical change is the goal.

How crazy is it to think that they were in such a rush that they hadn't even concluded their experimentation before they made the cuts.

One other thing.

This whole concept is based on wargames right?  The wargames indicated that FD2030 was the right direction?  Well if the wargames don't match the experimentation then we have a serious disconnect that should render the whole thing invalid shouldn't it?

I wonder which think tank ran the wargames.  I'm betting Rand had a hand in it...they always do.  Who else?

China's astronauts return from THEIR space station...

Three astronauts returned to Earth after six months aboard China’s newest orbital station. It was the country’s longest crewed mission ever. pic.twitter.com/cBYu3khXCT

— DW News (@dwnews) April 18, 2022

Chinese getting real big into small UAVs....We're talking division sized exercises

1/7
mini-THREAD
On 15/04/2022,CCTV7 made public a military exercise of the 🇨🇳PLA with sUAVs.
The exercise is called "A division of the Xinjiang Military Region. UAV team collaborative training"
Aside from the great soundtrack, there are some interesting (& fun) things in it... pic.twitter.com/sdy0KN43iG

— Jesus Roman (@jesusfroman) April 17, 2022

Everyone has Law Enforcement under the microscope but its the DA's and Judges that are the threat to public safety

The suspect in a South Carolina mall shooting, which left 9 wounded, has been released on house arrest and ordered to wear an ankle monitor after a judge set a $25,000 surety bond, the Columbia Police Department says. https://t.co/7Ua5cKAOhz

— NBC News (@NBCNews) April 17, 2022

I wonder why teachers are so hot for this stuff when many kids can't even read and write?

 

5th grade teacher shows her lesson plan for teaching gender and sexuality. pic.twitter.com/iFYdiigFMD

— Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) April 15, 2022

I don't even know where this came from but its another one of those puzzling social issues. How schools ended up getting involved in gender and sexuality is beyond me. I do know one thing. They've fucked up the basics so no way in hell they'll get this right. Regardless, they're really excited to start teaching this shit.

Open Comment Post. 18 Apr 22

 

Short vid of the Russian assault on Gostomel Airport...

 

Some video of the absolute mess of the Russian landing at Gostomel in February pic.twitter.com/Elp08BLnzO

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 17, 2022

Wow. A heliborne assault right onto the objective? I get the "Suprise, Speed & Violence Of Action" thing but on this one I've had a number of questions (no need even asking on the blog cause I'll get the usual uninformed BULLSHIT that doesn't think and consider, just spout MSM talking points from retired charlatans hired to be consultants).

You don’t get bullied because you’re a POG, you get bullied because you’re an annoying “influencer”

Geez. Another whining ass officer. The Corps is doomed.

 

They're trying to bolster support for Force Design 2030 by "explaining it better"?

Maritime Security Dialogue: Force Design 2030 and Marine Corps Modernization Efforts https://t.co/Neqyc0zgCh

— Solomon (@SnafuBlogspot) April 17, 2022

I'm gonna try and watch this but hope is not high that we're gonna hear anything that moves the needle. I've watched Berger in front of several groups talking about this thing and it all boils down to "being the eyes and ears of the joint force". Additionally he can talk about being a force in readiness and America's 9-1-1 force now (although it never crossed his lips when he was rolling this thing out) but we probably can't seize shit now, definitely won't be able seize shit in the future and Marine Corps infantry is simply perimeter security for the missile boys.

I've never seen the USMC so "confused" and unsure of itself in my entire life.

This design hasn't brought clarity.  It brought confusion, friction and a force that has lost its identity.

Even giving Berger the benefit of the doubt, one thing is certain. He's leaving the Corps in worse shape than when he found it.  He's in good company though.  Amos and Neller walked the same ground he's covering.

Happily though, the Marine Corps had a good run.  Nothing lasts forever.

Russians forming composite units?

This makes nothing but sense. All militaries do this type of thing. I do wonder why they weren't doing it on the fly into Kyiv though. Obviously they're having a bit of difficulty with command and control or we wouldn't see this many generals and colonels being killed on the frontlines. The Russian difficulty in this war boils down to logistics, command/control, lack of combined arms maneuver and vague operational orders.

Possible confirmation Russia is forming composite units https://t.co/Q5l1X0zr8W

— Henry Schlottman (@HN_Schlottman) April 17, 2022

Open Comment Post. 17 Apr 22

Exercise BOLD DRAGON

Canadian Army M777 howitzers, LAV 6.0s, and other equipment are unloaded at the Port of Riga

 

Russian SOF Vet asks Putin if they're fighting or masturbating...

Note. I am not "implying victims are responsible for their own tragedy or similar instances of victim blaming, such as claims that Ukraine is committing genocide or deliberately attacking its own citizens." 

I AM observing an ongoing conflict and making observations about said conflict.

When asked about the war, RAZVEDOS, a well-known Russian SOF veteran, said, "dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, please decide, are we fighting a war or are we masturbating?" He says Russia should massively escalate with strikes on infrastructure or stop the war.https://t.co/udKIrGcpG6 pic.twitter.com/IxNarjFQPX

— Rob Lee (@RALee85) April 16, 2022

You were deceived....

LIFEHACKS FOR LADIESpic.twitter.com/Gqli2IO1VM

— LOCKERROOM (@LockerRoomLOL) April 16, 2022

Open Comment Post. 16 Apr 22

Morning Joe actually said it. "Controlling what people think is our job"

 

“[Elon] could actually control what people think… that is our job” 😮 pic.twitter.com/Rz4TYJbf7s

— heidi (@HeidiBriones) April 15, 2022

Damn China! Cringeworthy indeed.

Just plain wow...Is this real?  No way huh?  A great fake?  This can't be real right?

 

North Korean level cringeworthy 😂 pic.twitter.com/CIUAgGQOKA

— 杨涵 Han Yang (@polijunkie_aus) April 15, 2022