Conway gets it on the IAR.

Don't know how I missed this vid from Marine Corps Times.  But it illustrates that Gen. Conway gets it when it comes to the IAR. 

Freaking unbelievable.

The UK newspaper the "Sun" has published video of a British soldier being shot and have posted a transcript of the conversation between him and another trooper at probably the most vulnerable period in this young man's life.

Now do you understand why I despise the media?  This is bullshit.

A subtle attack on the F-35. Kopp's take on the Chinese Air Force.

Air Power Australia's Carlo Kopp has an interesting (though overblown) article in The Diplomat...I ordinarily dismiss whatever comes out of that shop without a second thought, but this section of Kopp's article caused me to raise an eyebrow and to do a number of Google searches to verify its accuracy...

For those that are interested though, a more accurate picture can be gleaned from the fact that about 5 years ago, China planned to field well in excess of 500 Russian designed Sukhoi Flanker fighters, a size comparable to the now declining United States Air Force fleet of around 600 Boeing F-15 Eagle fighters. The Flanker was designed to be a direct equivalent (in some respects superior) to the F-15, which is also the backbone of the Japanese and Singaporean fighter fleets.

Indeed, with an ongoing modernisation plan that will see all legacy aircraft types replaced by modern and much longer ranging replacements, the PLAAF will in numerical terms become the strongest air force in Asia, with the largest fleet of ‘tier one’ fighter aircraft globally, should the United States pursue its current plan to downsize and reduce the capabilities of its tactical air forces. In terms of air power alone, this will result in the single largest swing in the strategic balance in Asia since the 1940s.

The operative words are "planning"  --they haven't achieved parity but they're trying hard.  If for no other reason than the entertainment value and the pure hair raising "the Chinese are coming" tone to the article, I count it as a must read.

EFV..."We took a few shortcuts...that probably didn't pan out..."

Hat tip to Johnathan for sending the bad news (just kidding..keep'em coming).

Johnathan sent me this article from BusinessWeek.  Suffice it to say that the long knives are out and still aiming for the EFV.  Of all the programs under development or about to be developed, only two have me seriously questioning Marine Corps leadership.  The first is the Infantry Automatic Rifle.  Who the hell needs a fully automatic M16A4?  A modern day Browning Automatic Rifle?  We're asking our Marines to give up their suppressive fire at the squad level?  Who's brilliant idea was that?  Oh and don't tell me its going to fixed when the Corps fields 150 round drum magazines for it...then you're halfway back to the SAW.  Dumb move.  Show some chops by canceling that pigeon now.

The next of course is the EFV.  I really like what I see of the vehicle.  I love the rapid ship to shore speed it has, its ability to keep up with M1 Abrams and the massive firepower it'll bring with its 30mm cannon.

What I don't like are all the missteps in development.

What also irks me is the statement by Colonel Moore.  This from KFMB-Tv Channel 8 in San Diego.




Did you notice the phrase?  "We took some shortcuts to save money that probably didn't pan out...?"

The most important weapon system for the Ground Combat Element and you're taking shortcuts?

Seriously?

Really?

What The Fuck Sir!

To be honest, as much as I like this vehicle.  As much as I think its necessary.  The Marine Corps screwed the pooch on this one.

There was no sense of urgency by either the manufacturer or the USMC.

Costs were allowed to balloon.

Justification for its mission hasn't been consistently defended.

We should have done better.

Last minute pushes to get needed systems across the finish line won't cut it anymore.

HNLMS Johan de Witt's landing craft in action off the coast of Somalia.

GvG of Information Dissemination provided this vid.  I wonder if this is the future for the Marine Corps.  Yes, I know its a return to our naval roots but so is being Shock Troops.  I fear that this new operating doctrine might cause us to lose that part of our heritage.

As a side note how are we going to justify the EFV if our new operating doctrine is for Distributed Operations with the Company as the smallest unit of maneuver, a move to make our units vehicle independent and for us to start having detachments aboard even frigate sized ships?  How do we justify any of the weapon systems coming down the pike?  CH-53E?  Why?  We operate in penny packets.  More M-777?  Why not just disband artillery?  The more I read of this new doctrine (and I haven't finished it yet) the more it leaves me scratching my head. Just my two cents.

For the Concealed Carry Crowd.

Teotwawki Blog pointed to an excellent article for those of us who carry concealed.  Its over at Warrior Talk News and is a great read.  Check it out.

More on the CSI Mountain Lion-1.

Ok.  I get it.  Obviously I was the only person on the planet not to know who CSI is or what they do.  Apologizes to all.

But if you haven't seen the Mountain Lion-1...here are the vehicles specs.

CSI Mountain Lion-1