Norway Pre-Positioning gets updated vehicles.

via RiaNovosti.

MOSCOW, August 5 (RIA Novosti) - US cargo ship USNS PFC Dewayne T. Williams is expected to arrive in the small Norwegian village of Namdalseid on August 10, bringing heavy tanks, armored personnel carriers and landing crafts, the local Adresseavisen newspaper reported on Tuesday.
The cargo will include third-generation main battle tanks of the M1A1 Abrams type. This new, heavier equipment will replace trucks and personnel carriers which were previously stored in the mountain bunkers of Central Norway.
Local defense sources, cited by the Norwegian Aftenposten newspaper, say that the US’ decision to change war equipment stored in Norway was made on the basis of experiences from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Researcher Brett Ulriksen from the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs believes this new arrival to be a sign of the US grim outlook on the future of Europe. “This may well be related to the Ukraine crisis”, he told Aftenposten.

IDF buying more Trophy vehicle protection systems.

via Haaretz.

The Israel Defense Forces plans to protect more of its equipment against anti-tank missiles and acquire more radar devices that detect mortar fire – key lessons learned from the fighting in Gaza.
A system called Windbreaker currently protects the tanks of Armored Corps Brigade 401 against all types of anti-tank missiles. In Gaza, this system was used more than 10 times to intercept such missiles, including the advanced Kornet.
“The Windbreaker gives us more security when moving and under fire; it’s a system that lets us maneuver more deeply,” a commander in the brigade said during the fighting. The most significant threat during the Gaza operation was from anti-tank missiles and sniper fire, he said.
The IDF plans for the brigades of Division 162 and Division 36 to eventually have the system, too. “The lesson learned from the operation is to continue to strengthen the decisive divisions,” a senior officer said.
He said the IDF had increased the pace of producing high-quality Namer armored personnel carriers. At the moment, Namers are not outfitted with the Windbreaker.

US Army Major General (2 star) assassinated in Afghanistan.

via Army Times

WASHINGTON — A man dressed in an Afghan army uniform opened fire Tuesday on foreign troops at a military base, killing at least one U.S. soldier and wounding 15, including a German brigadier general and "about a dozen" Americans, authorities said.
Details about the attack at Camp Qargha, a base west of the capital, Kabul, weren't immediately clear. Gen. Mohammmad Zahir Azimi, a spokesman for Afghanistan's Defense Ministry, said a "terrorist in an army uniform" opened fire on both local and international troops. Azimi said the shooter had been killed and that three Afghan army officers were wounded.

I can't even express my rage.

If I said what is in my heart I would be labeled and probably banned by Google.

This sucks.  You do know whats next don't you?  They're gonna try and kidnap a Soldier or Marine.

Sidenote:  It just occurred to me.  What does every general officer have in a warzone?  A personal security detail.  Additionally the Pentagon supposedly put in place enhanced force protection rules that required armed US personnel at every large gathering.  So not only was the MG protected but so were those in attendance....AND IT DIDN'T WORK!

Today in Marine Corps history....22nd MEU (SOC) evacuates the US Embassy in Liberia...

Hat tip to Marine Corps Aviation Association...

 Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) gather in the hangar bay aboard the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA 2) for a briefing on the situation in and around Monrovia, Liberia, and the rules of engagement governing their mission once ashore. The SAIPAN is on station off the coast of Liberia for Operation Sharp Edge, 06/02/1990

Ukraine news. Desertion confirmed & Russia to hold large military exercise on border.

via Cir.ca

Ukraine said it was working through diplomatic channels to secure the return of 311 troops it says crossed into Russia in the early morning hours to avoid fighting with separatists. Russia said the number of Ukrainian forces totaled 438, and that they were seeking asylum.

And then this via Reuters.

Russia announced military exercises near the border with Ukraine on Monday in a show of strength as the Ukrainian army recaptured more territory from pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.
The Russian air force said more than 100 aircraft, including fighter jets and bombers, were taking part in the manoeuvres this week in the central and western military districts.
The move could alarm Western powers which have accused Russia of beefing up its troops along its border with Ukraine and arming the rebels in eastern Ukraine, although Moscow denies the accusations.

Plain talk.

The massive desertion of Ukrainian soldiers is confirmed.  No excuses, no spin, the Ukrainian Army had about a battalion of troops run for the hills.

Next this weak brinkmanship that the West is trying on the Russian bear is just making him angry.

I don't worry about a military confrontation but these sanctions can get out of hand and plunge Europe, Russia and the rest of the world into a global recession that will make 2009 look like the good ole' days.

Eyes are back on Ukraine...although China is making a bit of noise in the South China Sea....

China can build whatever it wants on its islands in the South China Sea, a senior Chinese official said on Monday, rejecting proposals ahead of a key regional meeting to freeze any activity that may raise tensions in disputed waters there.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers this week hold security talks with counterparts, including those from the United States and China, in Myanmar, with escalating tensions over maritime disputes in Asia likely to be a major issue.
The Philippines will propose a freeze on all activity that raises tension in disputed waters in the South China Sea as part of a three-part plan at the ASEAN Regional Forum meeting, Manila's foreign minister said last week.
The United States, a close ally and former colonial power in the Philippines, has also called on all parties to halt activity in the disputed sea to ease tension.

I have never seen the world more volatile than it is right now.  This business will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it...

The US Army is going below 490,000. Numbers don't lie.

via Defense One.

The Army will lay off about 500 majors as part of its ongoing downsizing effort, the service has announced.
The military branch used involuntary separation boards to determine to determine where the number of soldiers exceeded future force requirements. The Army announced earlier this yearit planned to select from a pool of 19,000 captains and majors to reduce the size of its force in the post-war era. The service laid off 1,100 captains earlier this summer.

Read the whole story but the numbers don't lie.  The US Army is going below 490,000.

Consider the trajectory of the draw down.  It hasn't been a ramp.  Its been a cliff.  Additionally they aren't going after leadership.  They're going after future leaders or "seed corn".  Many Soldiers will tell me that this is a natural part of Army life...after a war there is a draw down.  I'm telling them that this is way too steep for the target numbers.  Sequestration is being factored in as we talk.  420,000 is the new target that the Army is reaching ... they just haven't told the rank and file yet. 

Why did the Israeli commando units suffer heavy losses?

via Jerusalem Online.

Operation "Protective Edge" is not officially over, however it can already be said that one of the current rotation of fighting's bolt characteristics is the large number of deaths and injuries which the commando battalions of the infantry corps suffered.
In comparison, the number of dead warriors from the division commando battalions during "Protective Edge" out of the total IDF soldiers killed is four times larger than the same ratio is he Second Lebanon War. When looking at absolute numbers, in spite of the fact that the number of warriors killed in the Second Lebanon War is almost twice the number of those killed in the current operation, the number of losses which the commando battalions suffered now is larger.
According to an officer of one of the brigade commando units, who participated in combat, this isn’t a coincidence. The large number of deaths derives from the characteristics of the combat in Operation "Protective Edge".

This story is remarkably light on details but I recommend you read it anyway.

My takeaway?

SOCOM better pay attention.  The enemy has studied the US playbook and is adapting.  The Raid, Raid and nothing but Raids mentality has been teaching and the terrorists have been learning.

I've feared a false target that would draw SOCOM into doing a big raid and nothing being there but terrorists with heavy guns/missiles/RPGs/mortars spoiling for a fight...if they're smart enough and can do it in a place where fear of civilian casualties push a restrictive ROE then it could be a blood bath with Rangers/MARSOC/Special Forces/SEALs going in too light to fight and unable to call in supporting fires.

Its gonna happen.  I hope not but I really believe it will.