Chinese Fire Support Frigate (Rocket).

All images and info via PLA Photo Blog.

China Navy renovated the frigate that was obsolete, fire support ship equipped with Tarenso rockets instead of anti-ship missile will be or have been enrolled

So they've done the common sense thing and simply taken an old frigate, added MLRS pods to it and re-designated it a fire support ship.  The only real issue (because I think its a great idea) is re-arming it at sea.  Against a proper target it could expend its "ready to fire" load in a few minutes.

Breaking! Russian tanks cross into Ukraine.

via Reuters.

(Reuters) - A column of 32 tanks, 16 howitzer artillery systems and trucks carrying ammunition and fighters has crossed into eastern Ukraine from Russia, the Kiev military said on Friday.
"The deployment continues of military equipment and Russian mercenaries to the front lines," spokesman Andriy Lysenko said in a televised briefing referring to Thursday's cross-border incursion.

Read the entire story here. 

US Navy Riverines wearing berets now?

Above you see a photo of what appears to be a re-enlistment ceremony for Coastal Riverine Squadron 4.  Congrats to the sailor and best wishes to him, his family and future.

What has me saying huh to the whole thing are the berets.  Is that now authorized in the Riverines?  Also notice the insignia on it.  Additionally check out the patches on their left shoulders.  "Don't tread on me" popularized by the Navy SEALs.

Despite being combined with Master at Arms for the port security mission it really looks like they're pushing real hard to be a quasi infantry force.  I don't know if I'll be watching them but they have peaked my interests.  I wonder what the end goal is.

Blast from the past. General Vaught saw the SEAL controversy coming...

More ABC US news | ABC Health News

The quote?

“Now I’m going to tell you, one of these days, if you keep publishing how you do this, the other guy’s going to be there ready for you, and you’re going to fly in and he’s going to shoot down every damn helicopter and kill every one of your SEALs. Now, watch it happen. Mark my words. Get the hell out of the media.."
LT GEN James Vaught

What kills me about this?

A couple of things.  First the way that the media laughed at the General.  Age confers wisdom, his service (exemplary no matter how you define it) DEMANDS respect..  He said nothing funny, was correct in his assessment and those bastards had the gall to laugh at him?  Each and every one of them needs to be throat punched.

Second.  McRaven started this.  He encouraged the spirit of SEALs covering the morning pages.  HE LED BY EXAMPLE!  Yet no one is saying it.

This is a culture problem and until they face it, correct and remove anyone that has engaged in it (meaning people that disclose secrets are punished to the fullest extent of the law) then we'll see this issue continue.

Go here to see the original story.

PLA Photo Bot on Twitter.

Interested in PLA armor developments in particular and their army in general?  Then take the time to check out the PLA Photo Bot on Twitter.

Here's the deal though.  Like the name says (and for some reason Asian websites dedicated to pics of a particular subject are more popular than they are here in the States) its primarily a photo site, but it does give a bit of info on the vehicles/aircraft/ships covered.

Sidenote 1.  The above render is of the ZBD-04.  Its being touted as the most powerful IFV in Chinese service and it appears that the Chinese EFV was simply a failed interim model.  More to come on this vehicle.  It seems that the other IFVs we've seen are aimed at the export market only.

Sidenote 2.  Working on the translation problem and I remembered advise given before that I ignored at the time but turns out to be the answer.  Google translate handles Mandarin quite well but struggles with Japanese and Korean.  Babel Fish does it all with few problems.  Check them out to save yourself the frustration that I've been running into.

Chinese Air Force trains in Russia.

Photos via English Russia

Damn I miss San Diego! Boys will be boys!

Lets see.

If this goes like it once did, LEO's will drop charges, it'll get pushed over to the Marine Corps ... we'll see 30/30 and two months half pay.

Its cool...after all.  Boys will be boys!  Seriously though.  This needs to get handled ricky-tick quick.  Hopefully the only thing bruised are feelings and body parts.

Sidenote:  Pretty impressive ground and pound on the part of San Diego PD.  They must have upped their hand to hand training.  That was a text book mount he put on that Devil Pup.