Ukraine's FP-5 'Flamingo' cruise missile has a reported range of 3,000km and a warhead of 1,000kg. This makes it much longer ranged and harder hitting than other reported types. It can logically hit targets in Russia other Ukrainian systems cannot
— H I Sutton (@CovertShores) August 17, 2025
The general concept is sensible pic.twitter.com/DTeqPOrY3l
Sunday, August 17, 2025
Ukraine builds a modern day V-1 Buzz Bomb
The US makes trans education mandatory while China makes AI education mandatory starting at 6 years old
It's like we're living in the final years of the Roman empire. The barbarians are at the gate and we're partying like everything is cool...BREAKING:China is taking a bold leap into the future by making AI education mandatory for all 6-year-olds,starting this September.
— Dhakshana Moorthy (@the_dhakshu_) August 17, 2025
This move signals China's aggressive push to dominate the AI space by embedding it into early childhood education.The global AI race just got real. pic.twitter.com/cuUrUH4pkZ
Saturday, August 16, 2025
Netherlands’ Multifunction Support Ship concept via Navy Lookout
Thanks to Joe for the link!
via Navy Lookout.
Following an evaluation of available systems, the Dutch Ministry of Defence has selected Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) as the main supplier of weapons and EW systems to equip MSS. Few nations can match the recent anti-missile combat experience and proven reliability of Israeli-manufactured systems. The primary weapon will be the Barak-ER (Extended Range) surface-to-air missile. The MDBA Aster 30 Block 1NT missile was considered but cannot be containerised and the IAI Rafael Stunner did not fully meet RNLN requirements.
Paired with the LCF fire control and combat systems, Barak-ER can defeat a wide variety of targets, including crewed and uncrewed aircraft, anti-ship cruise missiles and ballistic missiles out to a range of 150 km and altitudes of up to 20,000m.
The MSS-based Barak-ER interceptor will be cued by the LCF’s SMART-L MM/N L-band radar that can detect threats at 2,000km range will provide the Netherlands with a short and medium-range anti-ballistic missile capability. The integration and ensuring an unbroken data link between the two platforms is perhaps the most demanding aspect of this project.
Primarily to support amphibious operations, the IAI Harap multi-mission, long-range loitering munition system has been selected for MSS. Harap can loiter over the battlespace for up to 6 hours communicating with the launch platform up to 200km range and can attack targets up to 1,000km away. It is propellor driven but can achieve speeds up to 225 knots. Harap is a human-in-the-loop system carrying an ISR payload to identify and strike targets and provide real-time battle damage assessment. It’s long range was the primary reason for selecting Harap as future amphibious operations will be carried out at dispersed locations and at increasing distance from the coast.
Harap will complete a well-balanced land attack capability being acquired by the RNLN through the LCF mid-life upgrade. This includes the 1000km-range Tomahawk missile and the Leonardo 127/64 LW Vulcano medium-calibre gun capable of firing extended-range, precision-guided Vulcano munitions up to 100km.
Increasing vulnerability of critical infrastructure in the North Sea has driven the RNLN to add underwater surveillance capabilities to the MSS. They will act as motherships for UUVs that will be procured off the shelf. MSS will be equipped with standard navigation radars but will have an IAI-made EW suite. This will enable the gathering of electronic signals and communications intelligence data and the jamming of adversary radars and UAS control systems.
MSS will be fitted with a remotely controlled cannon on the focsle, possibly the Aselsan 30 mm Muhafiz stabilised naval gun. Two crew-served .50cal machine guns will also be carried, one on either side of the bridge.
Trump Says Xi Assured Him China Will Not Invade Taiwan During His Presidency via ZeroHedge
via ZH
Trump made the remarks during a nearly 30-minute-long interview with Fox News’ Brett Baier which was filmed on Air Force One and aired while the president was in Alaska meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“I will never do it as long as you’re president; President Xi told me that, and I said, well, I appreciate that,” Trump said.
The guarantee does not extend to future administrations, the president noted.
“But he also said, but I am very patient, and China is very patient,” Trump said. “Say, well, that’s up to you, but it better not happen now.”
It remains unclear when Xi made the remarks.
The White House did not respond to requests for comment before publication.
Taiwan, a self-governing democratic island territory, is viewed by Beijing as a breakaway province. Its freedom remains a volatile point of contention in U.S.-China relations.
The United States guarantees defensive arms to Taipei under the Taiwan Relations Act.
Xi has vowed to achieve “reunification” with the island by any means necessary, and he’s ramped up military exercises in the waters around the island.
Optimism that the president’s foreign policy agenda will deter China’s aggression is a recurring theme in the administration’s first 200 days.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNBC host Andrew Ross Sorkin in March that China will stay out of Taiwan.
“I follow President Trump’s lead, and he is confident that President Xi will not make that move during his presidency,” Bessent said.
Not really shocked by this. I personally believe China is seeking PERFECT victory. I believe that they're seeking to become so powerful militarily that making any move to defend Taiwan will be out of the question.
They want to take over Taiwan without having to fire a shot (at the US and allied countries).
A few more years of US/Western decline and they'll be setup perfectly.
Its not within the next couple of years but it will be before 2030. Paraphrasing Xi?China can act on their own timeline. Our pivot to the Pacific ain't causing them any pause. Besides. Ukraine and Israel are bleeding us dry of warstock.
America’s Rapid Response Force, Iwo Jima ARG-22nd MEU (SOC) Deploys for Global Operations...via Marines.mil
via Marines.mil
NORFOLK, Va. --
Sailors and Marines assigned to the Iwo Jima (IWO) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) - 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) departed for a regularly scheduled deployment, August 14.
The ARG’s primary mission is to conduct presence operations and safely embark Marines ashore to conduct a wide variety of contingency missions worldwide. The IWO ARG - 22nd MEU (SOC) also provides a flexible, forward naval presence by operating close to shore which allows this specialized Navy-Marine Corps team to conduct missions, unique to the amphibious Navy, at a moment’s notice.
“The IWO ARG - 22nd MEU (SOC) is an integral part of advancing our nations’ interests abroad and is a dynamic representation of our Navy’s 250 years of lethality and warfighting excellence," said Capt. Chris Farricker, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 8. "Our integrated Navy-Marine Corps warfighters are ready to execute the nation’s business and deliver quick and decisive combat power no matter where we are tasked in today’s complex global environment.”
This deployment follows the ARG-MEU’s final certification event, Composite Training Unit Exercise, the Navy’s most demanding pre-deployment assessment, which concluded July 11. More than 4,500 Sailors and Marines from the 22nd MEU comprise the force aboard the ARG’s three amphibious ships: flagship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), and the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships USS San Antonio (LPD 17) and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28).
"The IWO ARG - 22nd MEU (SOC) is ready to serve as the nation's force of choice, prepared to decisively respond to any crisis in support of our national interests," said Col. Tom "Banshee" Trimble, commanding officer, 22nd MEU (SOC). "We are warfighters; manned, trained, and equipped to win – anywhere, anytime."
Iwo Jima serves as the flagship of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) which is capable of conducting global missions to accomplish U.S. strategic goals, deter adversaries, and ensure unimpeded commerce by keeping the high seas open and free in accordance with international law. Embarked aboard ARG shipping is the 22nd MEU (SOC) which provides a forward-deployed, flexible sea-based Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) capable of conducting amphibious operations—to include enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations to meet Combatant Commander’s requirements.
U.S. 2nd Fleet develops and employs maritime forces ready to fight across multiple domains in the Atlantic and Arctic in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied, and partner interests.
This is plain weird.
Force Design 2030 has been pushing the idea of Naval Task Forces as the end all be all of the Marine Corps and has pushed the idea that the Marine Corps is TOTALLY FOCUSED on operations in the littorals in support of sea denial and acting as a sense/make sense force for the joint force.
The highlighted portion brings all that into question...
"We are warfighters; manned, trained, and equipped to win – anywhere, anytime."
Anytime and anywhere? That's a throwback to the past. What follows a few paragraphs later is also a throwback.
enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations to meet Combatant Commander’s requirements.
"enabling the introduction of follow-on forces and designated special operations to meet Combatant Commander’s requirements."
Houston we have a problem. The Force Design 2030 tribe is talking about responding to Combatant Commander's requirements? That's been missing for the past 6 years. As a matter of fact when critics such as myself pointed out that the Marine Corps was tying itself so hard to the Navy that the only way a combatant commander would be able to draw on Marine Corps forces was to request a Naval Task Force, I was shot down as being (forget the wording) but service specific or some such thing.
I think this is just a big joke and that they're still gonna be pushing Force Design 2030.
That's why the Army has expanded its Airborne Forces. We still claim to be America's Rapid Response Force but the truth is that the 82nd Airborne now has more ground combat power than a Marine Corps division. Think about that. We arrive by sea yet an AIRBORNE FORCE has MORE GROUND COMBAT POWER!
Amazing and pathetic.
Anything short of an extremely minor incident or if our ships happen to be hovering offshore means that the 82nd Division Ready Brigade can get there faster and hit harder than we can.
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Ukraine just hit Russia with its biggest drone attack of the war...
They do this one day before the meeting between Trump and Putin? Those bastards want the war. So be it. Count the US out. Let the Ukrainians and Europe handle this cocaine snorting fuck. We need to get out NOW!BREAKING 🔴
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) August 14, 2025
One of Ukraine's largest drone attack now hits Russia pic.twitter.com/6K6TzL6m8a
What is a MEU? (Part 1)
Does nothing for me. Ain't inspiring. Doesn't give me confidence. A weak son of a strong father. Legacy was stronger, new "hotness" is a fashionable joke lacking substance and more importantly ground combat power. Better hope Army Airborne is ready to fly to the rescue.
This one might be a keeper...
Man wakes up after a bumble date and the entire house is cleaned pic.twitter.com/vYbXxmloDw
— Financial Dystopia (@financedystop) June 29, 2025
MAGTF-6 Flexes Enhanced Logistics and Aviation Integration During Service Level Training Exercise 4-25...Story by 1st Lt. Stephen Sewell
Note. You leave a vacuum and another force will fill it. I take this as another move away from the defense focused Force Design 2030 and ATTEMPTING to flex it into ground instead of sea combat. I remain unconvinced this will work however. The longer they wait to make the needed course correction the more limited the Marine Corps role in the future will be. The biggest mistake of Force Design 2030? Tying itself to the Navy completely. If the Marine Corps is tied to the Navy in the form of Naval Task Forces then Combat Commanders will have NO USE for the force...unless a naval force is needed. If this is the desired outcome then it's time to case the colors. Why have a Marine Corps if all its good for is fighting in the littorals against China? Dying in penny packets to leave micro-fragmented bodies and equipment as recon for enemy forces.
.jpg)
via DVIDS
In today's evolving and increasingly lethal battlefield landscape, Marine Corps Force Design initiatives are emphasizing maneuverable and dispersed units that can operate inside environments heavily contested by the weapons engagement zone of enemy forces and fires. This demands seamless integration between all elements of the Marine Corps Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), command, combat, logistics, and aviation.
Advanced Motorized Operations Course (AMOC) at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MAGTF-TC) Twentynine Palms, Calif., showcased how a distributed, platoon-sized Logistics Combat Element (LCE) force can leverage air support functions from three Aviation Combat Element (ACE) squadrons to enhance their survivability and sustain operations in high-intensity combat scenarios on July 24, 2025.
B Company, Combat Logistics Battalion-8, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, executed a convoy resupply through and around the extinct Holocene volcanoes of Lavic Lake in Training Area Lavic, MAGTF-TC. The mission of the convoy was to deliver air-dropped supplies from Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 165 (VMM-165), Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Air Wing, to a Ground Combat Element (GCE) battalion, with expected enemy contact from Type 05 series Infantry Fighting Vehicles and dismounted infantry.
B Company’s convoy consisted of three Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) trucks, and four Joint Light Tactical Vehicle’s (JLTV). The heaviest weaponry B Company’s convoy possessed was the M240B Medium Machinegun. In the given scenario, B Company was outgunned by the 30mm cannons of the enemy Type 05’s. Success or failure of B Company through their conduct of AMOC would depend on their speed and air support.
In the beginning of their mission, B Company demonstrated several immediate actions familiar to Marine Corps convoy operations. These immediate actions included cordoning off and clearing an IED, recovering casualties through ground casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), and executing a towed vehicle recovery of a JLTV by a MTVR MK 36 Wrecker while taking enemy contact.
After breaking contact, B Company established circular security of a landing zone (LZ) for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361), Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Air Wing. 15 minutes later, a CH-53E Super Stallion from HMH-361 landed in the ad hoc LZ. An MTVR from B Company drove up to the CH-53E and Marines transferred the MTVR’s casualties into the helicopter, before the CH-53E took off to the Navy Medical Damage Control Resuscitation (DRC) center in the rear area. The total time from the CH-53E landing to the casualties being loaded took five minutes.
When the first CH-53E left the LZ, a second landed to assess the suitability of a JLTV hulk meant to stand in for the “damaged” JLTV currently being towed by MK 36 Wrecker. Once the lift points were deemed acceptable, that CH-53E took off and executed a flight pattern that transitioned into attaching its helicopter sling load cables to the hulk, practicing the beginning stages of an external airlift.
While the “Flying Tigers” of HMH-361 provided CASEVAC and heavy lift support for B Company, two AH-1Z Vipers from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 (HMLA-367), Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing conducted several gun runs with their 20mm cannons and 2.75” high explosive rockets on armored targets threatening the convoy and HMH-361 at distances as close approximately 200-250 meters.
“We can provide a different view of the battlefield from the air and can pass critical information about the enemy that the ground forces may not be able to see.” Captain Lee Hyatt, a Viper pilot with HMLA-367 said, when asked about the importance of light attack helicopters providing fires and reconnaissance for ground forces, “We can maneuver quickly onto targets of opportunity with rockets and guns and employ precision guided munitions on targets up to 8km away to protect friendly movements.”
In the span of approximately an hour and a half, CLB-8, HMH-361, and HMLA-367 had supported each other to conduct close air support and air evacuation, sub-categories of two of the six functions of Marine Corps aviation, offensive air support and assault support.
“Aviation isn’t merely transportation—it’s a force multiplier,” said Lt. Col. Kyleigh Cullen, commanding officer of HMH-361 “It extends the reach, speed, and resilience of expeditionary logistics on the modern battlefield. When aerial lift and ground logistics are synchronized, the MAGTF gains the ability to sustain operations at the tempo required for mission success."
Successful coordination of close air support and assault support during AMOC demonstrates the significance of how simultaneous actions can help maintain tempo on the battlefield. HMLA-367 provided protective fires more powerful than B Company could organically support themselves, ensuring that any decisive engagement by enemy mechanized formations could be interdicted long enough to facilitate the air evacuations. HMH-361 evacuating the casualties and damaged vehicle of CLB-8 allowed B Company to increase their speed and maneuverability, and the convoy commander to focus all their resources on convoy operations meant to resupply an infantry battalion of the GCE.
These simultaneous actions also require effective command and control to coordinate.
“Escorting HMLA has the capability to relay to Joint Tactical Air Controllers who then relay to the Tactical Air Command Center (TACC) what the status of an LZ is, and coordinate the timing for assault support to conduct,” said 1stLt. Brooks Morgan, an Air Support Control Officer with Marine Air Support Squadron (MASS) 3. “Or, if already positioned, HMLA can act as a coordinator, and talk the landing aircraft on to the LZ.”
MASSs provide the processing of immediate air support requests, integrate aircraft with supporting arms, manage terminal control assets and procedurally control aircraft through the Direct Air Support Center (DASC), allowing command and control of aircraft in support of MAGTF operations.
“Coordinating all of those layers requires an in depth understanding of the ground commanders’ scheme of maneuver and what effects need to occur,” 1stLt Morgan said, “A battlespace is ever changing, and without a central hub for information between air and ground units, it can become easy for agencies to not act in concert with the commander’s desired end state.”
Once the air evacuation was complete, B Company reformed on their route, escorted by HMLA-367. The two Vipers of “Scarface” flew circular patterns several hundred meters out in front of the convoy, engaging targets with rockets, and collecting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) for the convoy commander, ensuring enemy forces were unable to threaten the resupply mission. After the enemy threat was assessed to be minimal, the Vipers exfiltrated back to the nearest friendly airfield, and B Company finished their resupply mission unopposed.
“It was amazing to see the MAGTF’s integrated strength in action combining convoy operations and close air support (CAS),” Lt. Ezona Haile, the convoy commander for B Company during AMOC said, “For convoy operations, having air on station is critical for our survivability, enabling maneuver and sustaining tempo for mission accomplishment. AMOC provided an unparalleled training environment allowing ground and air elements to refine coordination and communication through realistic conditions.”
As Force Design calls for more maneuverable, dispersed forces, in a battlefield where the traditional deep, close, and rear areas are increasingly blended by developing technologies such as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), rocket artillery, and spectrometers, AMOC helps highlight how the Logistics Combat Element, traditionally operating in the rear area, can wield logistics as a form of maneuver in the close area to gain positional advantage over the enemy.
“Convoy operations in distributed environments rely on seamless air-ground integration,” said Lt. Col. Lewis, battalion commander of CLB-8, “Rotary-wing assets provide crucial air support, mitigating threats and enabling the freedom of maneuver necessary to gain and maintain positional advantage. This includes vital assault support for rapid casualty evacuation and crucial resupply, ensuring sustainment even while on the move and enabling continued pressure on the adversary.”
Increasing the survivability of units on the battlefield by conducting the actions demonstrated in AMOC, allows units to extend their culminating point. The culminating point is a moment when a force, either on offense or defense, can no longer effectively continue its current form of operations. More survivable logistics convoys ensure more survivable ground units, as the Ground Combat Element (GCE), in addition to the LCE and ACE, can receive the sustainment they need to stay in the fight. By staying on the battlefield longer, ground units can maintain positional advantage over enemy forces by continuing to apply pressure on them, and occupy key terrain.
By synchronizing effects across the domains of warfare with integrated, distributed, and mobile units, Marines can enhance our resilience as a force and prevent adversary disruption to our operations.
CLB-8, HMH-361, HMLA-367, VMM-165, and MASS 3, are currently attached to Marine Air Ground Task Force-6 (MAGTF-6), a MAGTF composited under the command element of 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, for the conduct of Service Level Training Exercise (SLTE) 4-25.
MAGTF-6 is conducting SLTE 4-25 to train for high-intensity, multi-domain combat operations against a peer adversary in an expeditionary environment, and prepare 6th Marine Regiment for command and control of high-intensity combat operations and crisis response.
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
I don't even know how to title this post except to say its another case of senseless violence...
The title says it all. The only thing left is to say how do you decide who's right or wrong in this case. The law is simple. If the dude pulls out an airsoft gun and the "real" shooter thought that it was real then its a solid case of self defense. But still....just geez....Guy accuses 68 y/o dude in a wheel chair of stolen valor provokes a fight. Wheel chair man charges at him with a knife, pulls out an airsoft gun. Provoker pulls out a pistol from his man purse and blasts the guy.
— WeaponOutfitters.com (@WeaponOutfitter) August 13, 2025
(wheel chair man survived, is a vet)pic.twitter.com/gqYi0HDIYj
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Illegal immigrant population down 1.6 million under Trump crackdown via Washington Times
WT
President Trump is booting out illegal immigrants faster than President Biden added them, according to the latest Census Bureau numbers, which show an unprecedented drop in the number of immigrants living in the U.S.
The total number of foreign-born people dropped by 2.2 million from January to July, and most of that — 1.6 million — was among the illegal immigrant population, said Steven A. Camarota, the research director at the Center for Immigration Studies who crunched the numbers.
It’s an almost unfathomable turnaround from the Biden years, when illegal immigrants surged into the U.S. at record rates, netting about 120,000 new people each month.
Ok cool. But are we making allowances for legal immigration especially in STEM fields?
Personally (after proper vetting) I'll take an immigrant from freaking Jupiter if it can advance our tech.
Monday, August 11, 2025
How does the Marine Littoral Regiment stop Chinese grey zone behavior when they're hunting PI ships to ram?
Subscribe to:
Comments
(
Atom
)