The Sea Wolves. Time again.

The US Navy has designated helicopter squadrons to support Special Operations Command.

Awesome.  Good for them.

But its time the Navy took care of its core missions first.

Like adequate defense and attack in the littoral regions and further inland.

Fast attack aircraft are awesome weapons of war but after deploying the Riverine Units its time to give those units the support they need. 

The Navy needs to bring back the Sea Wolves. 

How this fabulous capability was allowed to die is beyond me but if the Navy were to procure a sufficient number of AH-1Z's...put them in Navy markings with Navy pilots and attach them to Riverine Units during wartime...and carriers during the time in between then you'd have a tremendous capability.  My concept of employment might be off but the war record is undeniable...check out the website here.

Combat Logistics Regiment 25 gets gruntified!

All photos by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado

Lance Cpl. Joseph Snyder, a motor transport mechanic with Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, patrols through a forest during a field exercise at Gun Position One aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. April 3, 2012. The purpose of the field exercise was to get the regiment's Marines and sailors out of their comfort zone and in the field to refresh and enhance basic battle skills they don't get a chance to practice on a day-to-day basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado)

Lance Cpl. Joseph Snyder, a motor transport mechanic with Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, watches a road as fellow squad members cross it during a field exercise at Gun Position One aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. April 3, 2012. The purpose of the field exercise was to get the regiment's Marines and sailors out of their comfort zone and in the field to refresh and enhance basic battle skills they don't get a chance to practice on a day-to-day basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado)

A Marine with Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, patrols through a forest during a field exercise at Gun Position One aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. April 3, 2012. The purpose of the field exercise was to get the regiment's Marines and sailors out of their comfort zone and in the field to refresh and enhance basic battle skills they don't get a chance to practice on a day-to-day basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado)

Lance Cpl. Joseph Snyder, a motor transport mechanic with Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, posts security during a field exercise at Gun Position One aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. April 3, 2012. The purpose of the field exercise was to get the regiment's Marines and sailors out of their comfort zone and in the field to refresh and enhance basic battle skills they don't get a chance to practice on a day-to-day basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado)

Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, watch a road as fellow squad members cross it during a field exercise at Gun Position One aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. April 3, 2012. The purpose of the field exercise was to get the regiment's Marines and sailors out of their comfort zone and in the field to refresh and enhance basic battle skills they don't get a chance to practice on a day-to-day basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado)

Marines with Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, wait in a tree line during a field exercise at Gun Position One aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C. April 3, 2012. The Marines patiently waited for an unknown vehicle to pass their position. The purpose of the field exercise was to get the regiment's Marines and sailors out of their comfort zone and in the field to refresh and enhance basic battle skills they don't get a chance to practice on a day-to-day basis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Franklin E. Mercado)

Visby Class Stealth Corvette.

One sixth the weight, but with three times the firepower and less than one half the price.  If I was in the surface Navy I'd be sick to my stomach.  The LCS is going to be outclassed by all opponents and allies.

The LCS.  The Navy's version of the Stryker...better in theory than reality.

Hasty Rappel at the Jungle School...

All photos by Lance Cpl. Erik S. Brooks Jr.

Marines with Combat Logistic Regiment 37 performs a hasty rappel down a hill at JWTC on Camp Gonsalves April 2. Rappelling skills prepare Marines to overcome potential obstacles during deployments. The CLR-37 Marines are assigned to 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Cpl. Blake M. Cameron, top, a JWTC instructor, teaches Marines with CLR-37 proper navigation of a hill using the hasty rappel technique at JWTC April 2. Along with rappeling, the Marines also learned proper knot-tying techniques. JWTC instructors are part of 3rd Marine Division, III MEF.

Marines with CLR-37 rappel down a 70-foot cliff at JWTC April 2. The Marines performed three controlled safety stops as part of their training.

Whats up with this Chick????

This was suppose to be a story about the MD 540 helicopter.

To be honest, I consider it unremarkable and not really a contender in the US Army's Scout Helicopter program.  It might get the attention of SOCOM...but it won't, in my opinion again, gain much widespread usage.

But what had me scratching my head, banging my fists against walls was the CEO of MD Helicopters.

WTF! on steroids.

This chick is out there.  But I guess she has her fans....

Check out these articles to get the full flavor of this lady.  Here.  Here.

15th MEU TRAP Training.

All photos by Cpl. John Robbart, III

Staff Sgt. Brian Sears, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit relays a status update to his platoon commander during a simulated tactical recovery of personnel scenario. This particular scenario was created by the Command Element to develop the skills of the TRAP unit. The task at hand was to recover two United States Agency for International Development workers after a medical aid mission went wrong.

A LAV-25 prepares to transport Marines, sailors with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the role players they recovered as a part of a tactical recovery of personnel as a part of MEU Exercise, April 4. Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise is the first training that integrates all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. Tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel missions are rehearsed using several training scenarios. This particular scenario was created by the Command Element to develop the skills of each of the role players. The task at hand was to recover two United States Agency for International Development workers after a medical aid mission went wrong.

A UH-1Y with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 flies over the area in search of two role players acting as United States Agency for International Development workers as a part of a tactical recovery of personnel during MEU Exercise, April 4. Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise is the first training that integrates all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. Tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel missions are rehearsed using several training scenarios. This particular scenario was created by the Command Element to develop the skills of each of the role players. The task at hand was to recover two United States Agency for International Development workers after a medical aid mission went wrong.

Marines with the security element for the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct a tactical recovery of personnel as a part of MEU Exercise, April 4. Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise is the first training that integrates all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. Tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel missions are rehearsed using several training scenarios. This particular scenario was created by the Command Element to develop the skills of the TRAP team. The task at hand was to recover two United States Agency for International Development workers after a medical aid mission went wrong.

Marines with Combined Anti-Armor Team, Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, exit the area after rescuing role players during a tactical recovery of personnel as a part of MEU Exercise, April 4. Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise is the first training that integrates all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. Tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel missions are rehearsed using several training scenarios. This particular scenario was created by the Command Element to develop the skills of the TRAP unit. The task at hand was to recover two United States Agency for International Development workers after a medical aid mission went wrong.

First RNLAF F-35 Rolls Out

The first F-35 for the Netherlands rolled out of the F-35 production facility on 1 April 2012. The aircraft will be assigned to Eglin AFB, Florida, later this summer. The Netherlands will use the conventional takeoff and landing jet, known as AN-1, for training and operational tests for pilots and maintainers. AN-1 will undergo function fuel system checks before being transported to the flight line for ground and flight tests in the coming weeks.