Saturday, October 18, 2025

@SecWar “OORAH MARINES…

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Marine Corps combat demonstration at Camp Pendleton

 

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2nd MEF in charge of Operations against Venezuela.

 via Compass Points

Earlier this month, the Pentagon disclosed to Congress in a notification reviewed by Reuters that Trump has determined the United States is engaged in “a non-international armed conflict.” The document aimed to explain the Trump administration’s legal rationale for unleashing U.S. military force in the Caribbean.

Less than a week ago, the Pentagon announced its counter-narcotics operations in the region would not be led by the Miami-based Southern Command, which oversees U.S. military activities in Latin America.

Instead, the Pentagon said a task force was being created that would be led by II Marine Expeditionary Force, a unit capable of rapid overseas operations that is based at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

That decision came as a surprise to U.S. military-watchers, since a combatant command like Southern Command would normally lead any high-profile operations.

On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the admiral who leads U.S. Southern Command will step down at the end of this year, two years ahead of schedule, in a surprise move.

Article here 

They go on to say this which I found VERY INTERESTING.

If the Marine Corps is going to take charge in the Caribbean, there is something else the Marine Corps needs to do: go and meet in person with the Regional Combatant Commanders and explain to them that taking over the Caribbean task force and sending the SOUTHCOM CCMD into retirement was NOT the Marine Corps’ idea. It is an honor for the MAGTF Marine Corps to be put in charge of the Caribbean task force, but the selection of the Marine Corps to lead the task force must not be allowed to sour good relations with all the Regional Combatant Commands.

This is kinda inside the Pentagon stuff THAT I HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF!  But it gives me pause.

Why would the Marine Corps be put in charge of this mission?  Understand that you have a flotilla of Navy ships operating off the coast.  You have CIA involvement.  SOCOM along with the very capable 160th aviation brigade(?) is also operating in the area.

I just have to wonder if this is a case of replacing SOUTHCOM CO with generals that will obey without question.

Some conspiracy (I'm guessing they're conspiracy sites) theorists are claiming that an order was given to attack a yacht that was suspected of  hauling drugs and the former SouthCOM commander refused the order to destroy it and instead gave the advice that it should be disabled and then boarded by Navy SEALs.

From my chair, if true, then that would have been sound advice.  Now what do we have.

The ship is destroyed and two nationals are in custody about to be returned to their home nation without charges.

This thing is gonna be messy. 

 Sometimes you have to know when its better to stow your fangs instead of nailing them into the floorboard.

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Open Comment Post. 18 Oct 25

 



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T-90M2 to be produced. What happened to the Armata?

via FrontIntelligence Insight
In the spring and summer of 2025, as part of our own operation, our team obtained exclusive documents that provide new insight into Russia’s tank-production plans and confirm the existence of a little-known variant of the latest Russian tank. The records indicate that by 2028, output of the T-90M and its new variant, the T-90M2, is expected to increase nearly 80% compared with 2024 levels.

The T-90M2, also known as “Ryvok-1”, is scheduled to begin modestly, with just 10 units planned for 2026. However, Russia’s long-term production plan points to far more ambitious goals: between 2026 and 2036, Moscow intends to build at least 1783 T-90M and T-90M2 tanks, with 1118 of them slated for completion in the three-year period from 2027 to 2029.

Read the whole thing here 

Ok.  The Russians are in the middle of a hot war and have to get proven material to the guys in the frontlines.  Better to build what works with certain bits of modernization than start a brand new supply line.

I get it.

Still makes me wonder.  Whats the deal with the Armata MBT?


The Russians might not be considered part of the "West" but their arms procurement programs fit it well.

When it first appeared they had a world winning design and only had to make it work.  They took their time, let it simmer and didn't do the necessary work to get it into production in a timely manner.

Now?

Now the US Army is about to entire an entirely new beast with the M1E3 next year and the Chinese are producing armored vehicles like M&Ms.

If the war is affecting their future designs like this (along with their economy) then they need to seek an end with quickness.

Oh and has anyone noticed that their aviation programs have stagnated?  Their naval programs damn near non-existent, and their elite units have been ravaged and aren't as capable as they once were?

If I was leading Russia I'd freeze the lines, seek a ceasefire and work toward getting my military side of the house back in order.

The focus on long range fires is unbalancing their house.

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Friday, October 17, 2025

Spanish Dragon 8x8 Program appears to be dead

 

I seriously have no idea how something like this can happen. Its just a Pirhana V with a 30mm remote weapon station. How can you fuck that up? Yet here we are. Its obvious that something is broken with weapon procurement in the Western world.
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Open Comment Post. 17 Oct 25

 




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And here we go. Looks like we're gonna actually make a run at Venezuela. Trump is my guy but I can't support this shit...

 

And this from Zero Hedge
In the irony of the day, please note Trump Authorizes CIA Covert Operations in Venezuela

President Trump has authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct covert action in Venezuela, while also floating the idea of land strikes, in a broadening campaign against alleged drug trafficking.

“I authorized for two reasons,” Trump said Wednesday at the White House, alleging Venezuelan leaders have “emptied their prisons into the United States of America” and “we have a lot of drugs coming in from Venezuela.”

The authorization enables the CIA to operate clandestinely in the country and potentially take action against Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro, his government and drug traffickers, according to an administration official. Covert action, which is authorized in what is known as a presidential finding, can involve a range of secret activities including paramilitary and lethal operations meant to influence political, economic or military conditions in foreign countries.

Sorry to say this but if Biden had announced a "covert operation" I'd be shouting from the rooftops.  

So I'M SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOPS ON THIS SHIT!  Who in their right mind announces a COVERT OPERATION!!! 

A bit more from Zero Hedge.

The New York Times reports Head of the U.S. Military’s Southern Command Is Stepping Down

The officer, Adm. Alvin Holsey, is leaving his job as head of the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees all operations in Central and South America, even as the Pentagon has rapidly built up some 10,000 forces in the region in what it says is a major counterdrug and counterterrorism mission.

It was unclear why Admiral Holsey is suddenly departing, less than a year into what is typically a three-year job, and in the midst of the biggest operation in his 37-year career. But one current and one former U.S. official, both of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters, said that Admiral Holsey had raised concerns about the mission and the attacks on the alleged drug boats.

“Prior to Trump, I can’t think of a combatant commander who left his or her post early, ever,” said Representative Adam Smith of Washington, the senior Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee.

A flag officer assigned to the "supposed" backwater of the Southern Command suddenly finds his command at the center of US foreign policy?  Any request he makes MUST BE FOLLOWED?  He has a chance to be in history books for leading a successful campaign against the enemies of the US and he suddenly bows out?

Something is off here.

But the bigger thing?  

Trump is boasting about ending around 8 (if I remember correctly) small wars.  That all gets erased if he has miscalculated and gotten us into a clusterfuck in our own backyard.

I personally don't buy the narco terrorist angle either.  There are better ways to get at this problem that don't involve stationing thousands of forces and making public announcements.

THE ONLY THING I CAN FIGURE IS THIS IS SOME KINDA COUNTERPLAY TO AN UNKNOWN CHINESE MOVE IN THE REGION.

Right or wrong on that account the Trump administration is gonna have to come up with a better rationale for military intervention. 

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Sunday, October 12, 2025

Barracuda-500

 

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Saturday, October 11, 2025

LSU won but it was ugly. Defense is elite. Offense is mediocre. Nuss is regressing...

 

Weird.

We won but it don't feel good.  Our defense is ELITE!  Hats off to the Jimmy's and Joe's on that side of the ball.

The offense?  Pretty damn mediocre.  Got the ball inside the 20 and couldn't punch it in?  Nuss looks like he's regressing and at this point I'm wondering what is going on with the dude.  Some say he's injured, but HC says no.  Of course Nuss isn't talking so I don't know what the truth is but if its mental and not physical then we're in trouble.  We might not make the playoffs and this was supposed to be year for us.

Good win but it was ugly.
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#AntifaDoesNotExist

 

When you have this type of information discipline coming from both sides (I'll be generous, cause the right is much more scattered in ideology) then you know that what's happening today isn't "natural". We are in the midst of a psyops campaign being run by various groups, organizations and even quasi government groups with the aim of forming opinion. You say that's simply a case of advertising? I say NO. They are attempting to influence your thinking about fellow Americans. It gets worse. In many cases I'm seeing those same groups pushing people to violence.

Want one example?

Remember when the dude attacked and killed the healthcare executive?  Not a single group rushed to defend his actions.  Not one group rallied to the idea that the "for profit" healthcare system needs to be deconstructed and rebuilt.

Why?

Because an elite was targeted.  If that type of behavior had organized support then eventually those flames would soon burn people on both sides of the isle.

At the end of the day we just rotate people who believe that "ANIMAL FARM" wasn't a cautionary tale but a guidebook on how to do things.
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Leaked documents reveal Russia equipment/training to enable Chinese Airborne Forces to seize Taiwan's airport and conduct raid missions before an amphibious assault

For all the internal competition, the US once planned on using the full portfolio of forcible entry forces to take and hold terrain. Looks like the Chinese are remembering what we've forgotten. There is a natural synergy between Airborne, Amphibious & Special Ops forces when it comes to credibly/sustainably seizing ground. The only thing missing in all of this (from both sides) is that a follow on force is needed. Depending on terrain, you're looking at getting additional heavy, mech or light infantry forces on the ground as quickly as possible (in the case of Taiwan I would think the 25th ID or even the 11th Airborne...I just don't like the setup of the new airborne unit, they're half airborne, half mech, they'll be understrength no matter how employed). We don't need another roles and missions, what we need is a back to basics where US forces actually conduct joint training with US forces!
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The boss had justifiable anger

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Infantry Carrier Vehicle Dragoon (ICVD) @ National Training Center

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Looks like troops will get paid during the shutdown. via DOW Rapid Response

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Have you wondered why the Chinese suddenly restricted rare earth minerals & Trump retaliated with 100% tariffs? This is the best explanation I've found.

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Open Comment Post. 11 Oct 25

 

Has anyone done a comparison of the Army optic vs its Marine counterpart? Can't help but believe that we're in the era of commonality where possible and since the Army is much bigger, then why didn't we just tack on to their purchase?
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Friday, October 10, 2025

Polish HOMAR-K & self propelled artillery on the beach

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Open Comment Post. 10 Oct 25

 

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1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division maneuver a Bradley fighting vehicle during Rotation 25-04 at the NTC

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