IBEX: Distributed Operations

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment (1/2), 2d Marine Division, board a KC-130J Super Hercules at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, April 22, 2022. 1/2 is tasked as the division's experimental infantry battalion to test new gear, operating concepts, and force structures. The unit's findings will help refine infantry battalions across the Marine Corps as we continue to push toward the end state of Force Design. 

Open Comment Post. 28 Apr 22

Force Design 2030. Purpose Built For Sea Denial...but the USMC will still be able to conduct other missions?

 

Berger is launching a last ditch effort to TRY and gain support for his plan.

The problem?

His own words and the words of his subordinates betray him. He has stated quite clearly that Force Design 2030 is purpose built for only ONE THING.

Sea Denial.

Additionally he's pushed the Stand-In-Force Concept as being key to joint operations in the Indo Pacific.

US Marines will act as the eyes, ears and bullet sponges for the joint force.

Now?

Now he's trying to pivot.

Now he's trying to say that the Marine Corps will still be a force in readiness.  Will still conduct crisis response missions.  Will still conduct amphibious assaults.

If you follow the money and watch the units being disbanded then you know that's not true.

So where is he now?

He's facing the worst thing that a leader can be confronted with.

No one believes him.  No one trusts him.

His obsession with his own concept led him to message this thing badly (if we assume that he is indeed being truthful)...he failed to get buy in.

If he's is being deceitful (as I suspect), then he'll be found out soon enough.  He will earn his place as another failed Commandant.

The terrible thing?

He tried to ram rod this thing in.  He cut units, will have to reconstitute some, and his only answer is that its a learning program.

What person starts a process without knowing the end result?  Evolve on the fly?  That's a recipe for continued friction inside the force.

You've heard of the hollow Army?  We're looking at a hollow, ineffective Marine Corps that is incapable of performing its traditional missions and/or Berger's new dream.

Brazil's 29th Armored Infantry Battalion on exercise.

If I was in charge of the DoD for a day I would emphasize working in the southern hemisphere. I would lock up allies down there and work out defense pacts, have them using only US weaponry and work out production facilities for their own defense industry while paving the way for our corporations to further develop their economies. Brazil? Top of the list. Some other countries are noteworthy too. Mexico comes immediately to mind. I would work to replace their narco-terrorists with cheaply made goods (currently made in China) and pump up their agriculture sector to the max. Brazil and Mexico. Two ready made military and economic allies that we're ignoring while focusing on nations on the other side of the planet.

 

Polish BWP Borsuk IFV inches toward production

W ramach pracy badawczo-rozwojowej w NCBR zakontraktowane zostały 4 dodatkowe prototypy BWP #Borsuk. Badania wstępne istniejącego prototypu są na ukończeniu. Niebawem rozpoczną się badania kwalifikacyjne, a po ich zakończeniu negocjacje na dostawy wozów seryjnych. pic.twitter.com/3kTmOthQjz

— Krzysztof Płatek (@krzysztof_atek) April 27, 2022

Translation:As part of the research and development work at the NCBR, 4 additional IFV prototypes #Borsuk were contracted. Preliminary testing of the existing prototype is nearing completion. Qualifying tests will begin soon, and afterwards, negotiations for the delivery of serial cars will begin.

Paratroopers, Polish Allies take part in Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise

 

3d Recon Wet Silk Training

A U.S. Marine with 3d Reconnaissance Battalion conducts wet silk training on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan April 24, 2022. This specialized training provided Marines with enhanced skills and confidence for deliberate water parachute operations, ensuring they are prepared to execute a diverse set of waterborne reconnaissance and surveillance missions in order to maintain regional security in the Indo-Pacific.