Prelude to the big fight. 4 Chinese coast guard vessels have been spotted breaching restricted waters near Taiwan's Kinmen islands

4 Chinese coast guard vessels have been spotted breaching restricted waters near Taiwan's Kinmen islands both yesterday and today (4/10-4/11).

Taiwan's coast guard reports that so far this year, there have been 68 instances of China's coast guard entering these waters.… pic.twitter.com/UFIPdvnBrG

— Jaime Ocon 歐海美 (@JaimeOcon1) April 11, 2025

Put it together folks! The Marine Corps started its ill fated "Force Design 2030" a few years ago citing "the pacing threat". China has accelerated not only its conventional military modernization but now its nuclear modernization. Now? For the past two years we've seen more and more action around Taiwan. You still believe the tariffs are just about the economy? No! It's about reducing the reliance on China for manufacturing. Its about girding ourselves for the big fight that's coming. These aren't economic moves. They're the preliminary moves in preparation for the big fight. Sidenote. Why bring the F-47 out of the dark? Why is the Navy moving full speed ahead with the FA/XX? More warning shots across China's bow. Sometime before 2030 its gonna suck to be a sailor or aircrew in the Pacific. Rand predicts 2 carriers and 2500 servicemembers lost. Rand is being optimistic.

Open Comment Post. 12 Apr 25

Russia claims to have shot down an F-16.

 

🇷🇺🇺🇦 RUSSIA SHOOTS DOWN F16!

“On April 12, 2025, 26-year-old Pavlo Ivanov died while performing a combat mission on an F-16 aircraft.”

Supposedly happened over Sumy, close to the front. pic.twitter.com/RR1JoCV8wx

— Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) April 12, 2025

If true this is somewhat disturbing. Supposedly we have total ELINT coverage of the battlefield and along with jamming, along with proper tactics should be keeping this resource for the Ukrainians somewhat safe. Of course the Ukrainians have appeared to be somewhat careless in how they're using the aid provided to them so who knows. I await more info.

The tariffs against China is just the prelude to the coming big fight...

 Everyone is going crazy over tariffs but it had to be done.

America had to get manufacturing back on shore.  It had to reduce dependence on MOSTLY China.  It had to apply pressure worldwide to reduce other countries dependence on China.

We have to make stuff in the US, we have to get the rest of the world off the Chinese manufacturing tit and we have to weaken China economically.

We had to do all this because its the prelude to the coming big fight.

Countries would as Putin says..."when tigers fight, the wise monkey sits and watches".

He's right and that's the danger.  All our allies were becoming more and more dependent on the Chinese.  Too many Middle East and African countries have come to rely on either Chinese investments or purchases.  The same applies in spades to countries in Asia.

We need those countries to pick a side.  Either you side with the biggest consumer market in the world or you side with the biggest manufacturing country.  Its kinda easy.  You make stuff you need someone to buy it.  If you don't then you're stuck with a bunch of stuff.

The tariffs aren't about just economics.  Its a NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE FOR THE USA!

China's vulnerability to tariffs? If factories close in China they're facing a rebellion, high prices in America just pisses people off...

O’Leary: Why are we messing around, just go to 400%, What are they going to do? 25% every day until you're at 400? Just go to 400… Xi only gets to be the Supreme Leader in perpetuity while people eating and making sure their families are taken care of. If there’s mass closure of… pic.twitter.com/KUDLH0aSVT

— Acyn (@Acyn) April 10, 2025

Matt is right. This photo is sad approaching heartbreaking...

This is one of the saddest photos ever taken 💔 pic.twitter.com/ECJI0Ytsq2

— Matt Wallace (@MattWallace888) April 11, 2025

I wonder if they ever had a funny feeling. Like some type of subconcious warning that something wasn't right before they took the flight.

Open Comment Post. 11 Apr 25

 

B-Roll: 12th Combat Aviation Brigade lifts Off for water airborne, helocast training at Lake Garda

A CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade lifts off from Verona Airport, Italy, en route to Lake Garda during water airborne and helocast training, April 10, 2025. The aircraft supported 173rd Airborne Brigade paratroopers—226 Soldiers conducted water airborne operations, while 200 executed helocast insertions from rotary-wing platforms.

The training reinforced critical capabilities for deploying forces in non-traditional environments, simulating water-based insertions into coastal or lake terrain. Dozens of family members and friends observed the event from the shoreline, underscoring the Army’s commitment to transparency, readiness, and community engagement.

(U.S. Army video by Sgt. C. Jay Spence)

Late Open Comment Post. 10 Apr 25

U.S. Marines with 2d Assault Amphibian Battalion, 2d Marine Division conduct ACV Testing

This vehicle will never be in the top 10 APC/IFV, but that's not the problem. The problem is that it was NEVER designed to be the primary amphibian for the USMC. It was supposed to be a supplement to the higher end EFV. With the EFV gone it was thrust into this position. But I have to wonder if the Turk update/heavy modernization of the AAV isn't better. My prediction is that once the Marine Corps evolves back to being a force in readiness/amphibious assault specialist that the ACV will have a short service life.

 

173rd Combat Engineer Company (Airborne) is born...

US Army Airborne, while no one was looking, is transforming into a combined arms team that is both STRATEGICALLY and now TACTICALLY MOBILE! Additionally while before they were EXTREMELY vulnerable to mech and armored forces by acquiring light tanks, enhanced artillery and retaining their stocks of anti-armor missiles are capable of at least repelling an attack but surprisingly capable of even engaging them. Between the stagnation that came with Force Design 2030 and a lack of amphibious shipping I have a hard time thinking that at least NOW they're the force of choice for crisis response. The Army played chess while the Marine Corps played checkers. Compare an Airborne Brigade to 2 MEUs and tell me which is more capable today (remember we called 2 MEUs that deployed into Afghanistan a "provisional" MEB). If you say the MEUs then you're not paying attention.

Why are tariffs necessary? Because globalisation eviscerated the US middle class to the benefit of the world!

A thread. READ IT ALL!!!!

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's interview with Tucker Carlson just went viral.

And he's NOT just talking about Trump's tariffs.

Instead, he exposed the truth about what happened to America's working class.

Here is what you missed on Trump's $600B tariff plan: 🧵 pic.twitter.com/Of2HXVGjd1

— Constantine Zaitcev | dRPC.ORG (@constantine_rm) April 7, 2025

CV90120 gets improved (video)

WTI 2-25: Heavy Lift Aerial Refuel...Video by Lance Cpl. Micah Thompson

Robotic horse not fake after all...its a prototype from Kawasaki

Kawasaki just made a robot you can ride.

It walks on four legs like an animal.

And it might change transport forever.

Here’s what makes it so crazy: pic.twitter.com/8uvn67sopW

— Patrick's AIBuzzNews (@AIBuzzNews) April 8, 2025

Why America holds ALL the cards in the US-China tariff showdown

🧵BREAKING: Why America holds ALL the cards in the US-China tariff showdown. A thread on how Trump's playing hardball while Xi's running out of moves... pic.twitter.com/mwMALLOToc

— Rod D. Martin (@RodDMartin) April 8, 2025

Late Open Comment Post. 8 Apr 25

WTI 2-25: CH-53 Heavy Lift Air Refueling

U.S. Marines and U.S. Soldiers with Republic of Korea Marines Execute an Air Assault During KMEP 25.1

Thai military draft lottery

In Thailand, all males 21+ must participate in a military draft lottery. If you draw red you serve for two years, if you draw black you’re exempt. pic.twitter.com/9RP9BeP06n

— OnlyBangers (@OnlyBangersEth) April 7, 2025

Seems like he got a little sugar in the tank!