F-35 to be deployed for combat before IOC...all three models.

Via DefenseNews.com

The U.S. military may deploy the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) before the tri-service fighter is formally declared Initial Operational Capable (IOC), top uniformed officials told Congress on May 24.
While the U.S. Marine Corps has always maintained that it would declare IOC with interim Block 2B software, the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy require that the aircraft be fielded with Block 3 software before the jet is formally declared operational. However, in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, leaders from both services said they would consider deploying the fifth-generation stealth fighter into combat zones with interim Block 2B software provided that there were no safety concerns.

"If the combatant commander said, 'bring me this capability,' then we clearly would provide it," said Air Force Lt. Gen. Herbert Carlisle, the service's deputy chief of staff for operations, plans and requirements.
The Navy's director of warfare integration, Rear Adm. David Philman, who was also testifying, concurred.
"I don't see any reason we wouldn't be able to be told to go into theater, assuming all the safety considerations have been taken care of," he said.

Hmm, I can't wait to see the response to this news.

A video series you must see: The Battle For Marjah.

Its a series of 9 vids.  Well worth the time.

Pic of the day. May 24, 2011.

The third F-35 Lightning II carrier variant flight test aircraft, designated CF-3, launches from Naval Air Station (NAS) Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base on May 21 on the way to completing its first test flight.

Not sure but that should be the last test aircraft.  Every plane built from here forward should be going to the training center in Florida.

NASA announces Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV)

I'm of mixed feelings on the course that NASA is currently taking.  Privatizing space exploration feels like a big time mistake but it gives the US Air Force a tremendous opportunity.  I'm also a bit jaded on the MPCV.

We've given up on the Shuttle concept and are reverting back to a Big Apollo type capsule.

The current NASA Chief is a former Marine.  And I can't say that I'm impressed by his leadership.  First the outreach to Muslims via our space program and now the muddle that is our manned flight program?

Yeah, I'm not impressed.  More like disappointed.

Read about the MPCV here.

US Northern Command. Still sleep.

Another swarm of tornadoes hit the heartland of the country.  Its obvious that local authorities are overwhelmed.

But where is Northern Command?

This from their website.

USNORTHCOM’s civil support mission includes domestic disaster relief operations that occur during fires, hurricanes, floods and earthquakes. Support also includes counter-drug operations and managing the consequences of a terrorist event employing a weapon of mass destruction. The command provides assistance to a Primary Agency when tasked by DOD. Per the Posse Comitatus Act, military forces can provide civil support, but cannot become directly involved in law enforcement.

In providing civil support, USNORTHCOM generally operates through established Joint Task Forces subordinate to the command. An emergency must exceed the capabilities of local, state and federal agencies before USNORTHCOM becomes involved. In most cases, support will be limited, localized and specific. When the scope of the disaster is reduced to the point that the Primary Agency can again assume full control and management without military assistance, USNORTHCOM will exit, leaving the on-scene experts to finish the job.

I would say that the disaster in Joplin is beyond the scope of local authorities.

Northern Command should be there.

At the very least they should at least be up to speed with current events instead of putting up puff pieces like "Astronauts worst day may be our best".

F-35C ferries to Pax River

Devastation in the Heartland. A missed mission for our Active Duty Forces.

All photos from Buzzfeed.com

The recent devastation in Missouri has me wondering about something.

Where are our Active Duty Forces to help with situations such as this?

And before you hit me with Posse Comitatus Act nonsense, let me hit you back with this.

The US Military can certainly replicate the assistance given to Haiti and Japan within our own borders can't they?  Just like in Japan we wouldn't be going in with weapons...but with self sufficient forces that are able to provide shelter, food and possibly most importantly medical assistance to fellow Americans that have suffered tragedy.

States are already stretched thin.  Police and Fire services are being cut back in order to maintain legislatively required balanced budgets.

But possibly more importantly than all that is this....

If the Department of Defense has no role to play in this type of scenario then exactly what is Northern Command all about?


Note:  If you're curious about what the current commander of NorthCom is focusing on you can read his blog here.  I can give you a quick primer now though.  The Admiral is extremely proud of a national level disaster response exercise.  My critique stands.  What better time to swing from an exercise into a real world situation?  Until or unless NorthCom starts helping the American people, its just another command for General level Officers to fill billets.