What is the latest "low profile" war SOCOM is involved in? I believe they're operating in Haiti...

#Haiti 🇭🇹: Haitian Security Forces carried out Drone strikes against Criminal Gang Members in the city of "Port-au-Prince" (#Pòtoprens).

Seemingly Haitian Forces used what appears to be FPV Kamikaze Drones (!) carrying Explosive Devices (IEDs). pic.twitter.com/Wfil0AHWN4

— war_noir (@war_noir) May 31, 2025

What news story appeared for a brief time in the news but has since faded away.

It's essentially the fall of Haiti into a completely lawless state.

Many Americans became aware of the issue when they saw tons of Haitians appearing at the southern border of the US.  It kinda exploded when Border Patrol was accused of "whipping" Haitian immigrants (a charge that was easily proven false).

After that?  Nothing.

Except we're now starting to see this.  The UN did the usual thing by sending peacekeepers (I believe they were trying to get a few African countries to send troops but the best of the bunch, again I'm not sure doing this from memory, are from Brazil).

The violence continued but the special status for immigrants was revoked.  The administrations changed and I'm thinking, not sure, but I believe SOCOM is doing work down there.

Haitian forces, military and law enforcement, are overwhelmed, feckless and in many ways controlled by the criminal gangs.  I just don't see them being able to launch these types of attacks.

That leaves SOCOM to do the hard things and if we're smart we'll cheer their efforts.

That's the hand signal for "pass me a grenade"? Never knew...

What’s that hand sign mean 😭 pic.twitter.com/6h3bcgmmhj

— Retro Anime (@retro_twt) May 28, 2025

US Army's Logistic Support Vessel Graphic...

Note. I did NOT know these ships were capable of carrying such an impressive load. Maybe we should have piggybacked off the Army buy! Some of you were singing this class of ships praises but I didn't pay attention. My bad.  Question.  The USMC is always talking about the "joint force" so why aren't we partnering with the Army on the (flawed) Force Design mobility issue instead of reinventing the wheel?  Side issue.  The US military talks more about interoperability with foreign forces than it does on DOING interoperability inside our own.

Chinese PL-15 suffered from performance anxiety against the Indian Air Force?

Note. We're getting revised statements on the performance of the Chinese supplied weaponry to the Pakistani Air Force. Additionally we're seeing that the Indians were quite effective in defeating Pakistani anti-air and command infrastructure over the disputed territory. Our eyes will be on other topics but hopefully someone will get ahold of the after action report by neutral parties and tell us exactly what happened and how.

 

After suffering the humiliation in the Op Sindoort, I am sure that the Chinese PL-15 air to air missile developers must have been by now shifted to making cheap toys by the Communist Party. You can’t make such tall claims n fail so miserably😊😊 great stories coming out pic.twitter.com/JMh5VsX7DL

— Ajit Kumar Dubey (@ajitkdubey) May 29, 2025

Ukraine could collapse. What will that look like?

 via Brussel's Signal

A scenario European leaders would do well to consider, as Kyiv enters the Washington-sponsored peace process with profound frustration: with the White House determined to put an end to the war in Ukraine, the Europeans are telling Zelensky that no peace is necessary. The war can continue indefinitely, they say; and, if the Americans want out, Europe can still step in to fill the void.

But Zelensky is foolish to believe that the Europeans will save him from the forces of reality. Europe, the last bulwark of the once-insurmountable pro-war consensus, is a continent of hawks without beaks. Ukraine cannot defeat Russia with just European support. Ukraine will collapse.

Look at what will happen then. Ukraine’s predicament seems increasingly reminiscent of that of the Second Spanish Republic after its defeat at the battle of the Ebro in late 1938 destroyed any remaining hope of turning the tide.

Story here and well worth a read.

FINALLY!  They're stating what I've been yelling for years now.  Even better is the realization that since the 2022 negotiations things have been going south for Ukraine at the behest of Euro Hawks that still depend on US funding and equipment to see their vision thru.

I implore you.  READ THE ARTICLE BEFORE YOU COMMENT OFF THE SNIPPET ABOVE!

 

QUART 25.2: ACVs launch and recover in low light conditions ...Video by Lance Cpl. Aimee Jordan

ACVs Splash into QUART...Photos by Staff Sgt. Dylan Chagnon

Open Comment Post. 30 May 25

5-4 ADAR Supports Formidable Shield 25...Photos by Capt. Alexander Watkins (ground forces are still not getting it)

Note. I've been watching the Army and Marine Corps provide solutions to drone swarms. These short range, last mile, defense systems just won't get it. They're not looking at the threat as it exists. What do I mean? The focus is so targeted toward defeating drones that they're not factoring in ground support aircraft that will launch missiles from tens of miles away. If an enemy is on the ball (and we have to assume that they are) then they would launch drone swarms, tie up our air defense while attack aircraft are making runs at our ground forces. Shoulder fired missiles that are mounted on vehicles, with LIMITED engagements per load aren't gonna cut it. So what does that mean? For better or worse (especially since our air arms have practically said ground forces are on their own) we have to get medium ranged missiles as part of our formations. How do you put AIM-120s on a ground platform to protect the force? I don't know. But we need longer ranged systems rather than systems biased to take out drones.

Rheinmetall Mobile Air Defence – Oerlikon Skyranger®30

Mission: Ready - Layered Defense at a Moment's Notice (Aspirational?)

Late Open Comment Post. 27 May 25

SA-35 self-propelled gun

The SA-35

@PITRADWAR_PGZ

self-propelled gun on the 3rd generation 6x6 Jelcz chassis has been integrated with a programmable ammunition system, an independent ZGS-35K optoelectronic target tracking system, a hybrid fire control system with the TUGA radar and optoelectronic sensors.

Samobieżna armata SA-35 @PITRADWAR_PGZ na podwoziu 6x6 Jelcz 3 generacji została zintegrowana z systemem amunicji programowalnej, niezależnym optoelektronicznym systemem śledzenia celów ZGS-35K, hybrydowym systemem kierowania ogniem z radarem TUGA i sensorami optoelektronicznymi. pic.twitter.com/a0D3jyuqKK

— Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa🇵🇱 (@PGZ_pl) May 23, 2025

Memorial Day 2025. Honoring the fallen...

The PLA Navy Comes of Age: Big Decks and More

 

Exclusive Report: U.S. Marines shift from old tracked AAV to modern 8x8 ACV Amphibious Combat Vehicle...via Army Recognition

via Army Recognition

The United States Marine Corps is undergoing a pivotal transformation in its amphibious assault capabilities, marked by the replacement of its long-serving Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) tracked armored vehicle with the modern Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV), an 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle. This shift is not only about updating old hardware; it represents a strategic recalibration to meet the demands of contemporary and future conflicts, particularly in littoral and Indo-Pacific environments.

Article here 

I've finally hit upon what gives me so many misgivings and doubts about the ACV (after initially being a huge supporter).

The first is that its not a true amphibious assault vehicle (they rebranded it but that's its purpose...should have been AAV-8 or LVTP-8 if we were being historically correct).  In task and purpose, especially if your TRUE focus is fighting in the littorals is to build up combat power as rapidly as possible and to be able to cross ALL beaches.  In order to do that you have to have tracks.  Spare me the talk about modern tech giving wheels the same mobility as tracks.  With today's tech that just ain't true.  This applies in the desert, mud, marshes and ACROSS BEACHES!

Next there is the fact that the ACV was built as a supplementary vehicle and due to the cost of the EFV it was thrust into the role of our primary combat vehicle. Its the same trash we saw the Army do with the Stryker.  It wasn't best of breed when it was bought but it was cheap and available.

Lastly I'm really not digging its development curve.  We aren't buying a 1 for 1 replacement for AAVs so why are we skimping on adding the necessary gear as we acquire them?  Anti-missile/drone defense should have been baked into the cake but now I have to wonder if its swim capability will be undermined by making it capable on a modern battlefield.

Very few Marines today remember the LVTP-5 outside of the few remaining OLD SKOOL Vietnam era dudes, but I fear we're buying the modern day equivalent of that vehicle.

Whereas the LVTP-5 was awesome (or so I've been told) in going from ship to shore and back (you should see some of the seas those guys drove those things in....not for the faint of heart!) they're sucked ass on land. I think we're gonna see the opposite at a time when ship to shore will be the main focus (at least as HQMC is seeing things).

Get to the point and shut the fuck up?  I have to wonder if new built but MODERNIZED  AAVs wasn't the better way to go.

IDF aims to capture 75% of Gaza Strip in 2 months in NEW offensive. Ok, I'm pausing up now. Netanyahu doesn't want to turn this war off...

IDF aims to capture 75% of Gaza Strip in 2 months in new offensive against Hamas / @manniefabian https://t.co/8MqZMfOVlk

— The Times of Israel (@TimesofIsrael) May 25, 2025

I have alot of anti-Israel folks in my audience and for the most part I read what is said but ignore it. Now? Now I'm paused up. Netanyahu doesn't want to turn off the war in Gaza. From my chair this is DEFINITELY not good for Israel. Their economy is taking a beating on this thing and it makes no sense diplomatically because all signs show that Trump is trying to put the accords back together. I don't understand what their leadership is thinking.

Open Comment Post. 25 May 25

German Helicopter Brigade @ Exercise Griffin Lightning

The armored vehicles of the Guzmanel Bueno Brigade