The Gay Tailhook...

Information Dissemination has articles here and here which cover the 'professional' response to the Capt Honors incident.

I can't help but think that this is the Gay version of Tailhook...what do I mean by that?

1.  This incident (the timing is suspicious) has alot of smoke, bluster and accusations...but the only party that appears to be offended by them are people outside the military (yes I know many politically correct spokesmen...including the Chairman are coming out against Capt Honors but the rank and file seem to have shrugged and moved on) and the Gay community.

2.  It is being used as means to further a cause.  In '91 it was used to get Women into combat, this is being used to push forward the repeal of DADT speed up the implementation of open service.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying that this wasn't an incredibly stupid thing for a Capt in the Navy to have done.  But we should recognize that this is the first casualty of this new policy.

And mark my words...if they can take down a Navy Capt then no one is safe...Keep quiet, don't express your opinion and go with the flow.

Deal with it guys...oh and get ready to attend a whole bunch of sensitivity meetings.

Articles on this story are to be found here, and here ...

PEO LS, MARCORSYSCOM and Leadership need to pivot away from the EFV.

A visit today to PEO LS/ MARCORSYSCOM and the Marines EFV website...along with this report from the Wall Street Journal reporting on Congress member trying to save the vehicle.

My message to them...

Let it go.


The time to fight isn't after its been canceled...its before it got to this point.

My previous statements stand...with a few added bits after some thought today.

1.  Kill the EFV in total.  A token buy of a few hundred (I've heard the number 200) will be a waste of resources, will hugely expensive and will not serve a worthwhile purpose.  We need a vehicle that can be used everywhere, all day long.  A specialized vehicle (which is what such a small vehicle buy would make it) isn't worth the money, effort or even the dollars it would take to make it workable.

2. Don't even think about the Marine Personnel Carrier.  Close that shop down.  We don't have the money and we don't need funds diverted to a questionable vehicle.

3.  Get out of the JLTV program.  The budget war has been declared...its upgrade the Humvee time.

I don't know what the future holds but the ground side of the Marine Corps' house is in disarray.  All kinds of foolish ideas are being forwarded...

Loose the well decks because they're unnecessary! WTF!

Adopt smaller, less capable amphibs! WTF! 

Adopt the Stryker or a similar wheeled vehicle! WTF! 

All of the above are non-answers to this very important problem.  The nay-sayers have carried the day---this time, but we need to not retreat but to reload!  Amphibious Assault is too important for us to do anything else.

Kel-Tec Bullpup 14+1 Shotgun...

via 'The Firearm Blog'

In a matter of months Kel-Tec has unveiled the PMR-30 pistol, the RMR-30 carbine and now the exciting KSG Shotgun. This bullpup pump-action shotgun has dual tube magazines that can hold a total of 14+1 rounds of ammunition.

Sorry.

I can't get pumped up about this.

I watched the roll out of the PMR-30 pistol and still can't find the sucker unless I'm willing to pay way over MSR.

This appears good too but Kel-Tec's distribution system is jacked up.  Past experience plus common sense means that I'll expect to see this in stores in 2015...if we're lucky...oh and it'll go for the price of an AR-15 too.

Night Stalker/ Boeing Propaganda-- MH-47G

The EFV cancellation and the Commandant's Statement.

via Information Dissemination (note, this along with an article from the Conservative Wahoo are REQUIRED reading!)...below is the statement from the Commandant as presented on the I.D.'s website...my comments are in bold type.


Gen Amos' Statement on Cancellation of EFV Program

Topic: CMC Press Release - EFV Termination

Today the Secretary of Defense announced the termination of the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program. I support his decision. After a thorough review of the program within the context of a broader Marine Corps Force Structure Review, I personally recommended to both the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy that the EFV be cancelled and that the Marine Corps pursue a more affordable amphibious tracked fighting vehicle.

Really Sir?  The Air Wing is gobbling up the damn budget...the AH-1Z, UH-1Y, F-35B, CH-53K, and the MV-22B...yet we can't get the grunts an adequate Infantry Fighting Vehicle?  Sir, you've got to be shitting me!

Despite the critical amphibious and warfighting capability the EFV represents, the program is simply not affordable given likely Marine Corps procurement budgets. The procurement and operations/maintenance costs of this vehicle are onerous. After examining multiple options to preserve the EFV, I concluded that none of the options meets what we consider reasonable affordability criteria. As a result, I decided to pursue a more affordable vehicle.

So in other words Sir, what you expect your Warfighters to do is to ride in an updated 40 year old vehicle?  Again Sir, you've got to be shitting me!  Even if we follow the US Army's example and get new build AAV's dressed with uprated engines, blue force tracker, GPS, battlefield internet and perhaps ATK's compact 25mm cannon, we're still operating an uprated old vehicle.  Damn Sir, you're making the idea of having only Grunt Commandant's make more and more sense!

Our Nation’s amphibious capability remains the Corps’ priority. In the complex security environment we face, the execution of amphibious operations requires the use of the sea as maneuver space. A modern amphibious tracked vehicle is the means towards this end. It enables the seamless projection of ready-to-fight Marine rifle squads from sea to land. It is thus the key to allowing ship-to-shore operations in permissive, uncertain, and hostile environments; assuring access where infrastructure is destroyed or nonexistent; and creating joint access in defended areas. It is also central to the entire Marine tactical vehicle strategy for operations ashore. Once on land, an amphibious armored fighting vehicle provides the Marine rifle squad with the protected mobility and firepower to maneuver to a position of advantage to rapidly close with, engage, and defeat the enemy.

With all due respect Sir, you're busting Sunshine off my ass!  You're saying that we need to maintain an Amphibious Tractor in our Corps yet you didn't fight for this vehicle.  A cheaper vehicle will be a less capable vehicle.  High Speed?  Kiss it good bye.  A capable IFV defeating cannon?  See ya!  Hey Sir, be advised, you can't bullshit a bullshitter!

The Marine Corps remains committed to develop and field an effective, survivable and affordable amphibious tracked vehicle. To bring this capability to the force sooner rather than later, we intend to capitalize on the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s recent efforts to streamline procurement and to rapidly accelerate the acquisition and contracting processes in developing our new amphibious tracked vehicle requirement.

See the above.

Shortly, we will issue a special notice to industry requesting information relative to supporting our required amphibious capabilities. We look forward to working with industry in meeting this challenge to field a modern and affordable amphibious tracked vehicle that will support our Nation’s needs.

Ya know what Sir!  If you weren't ready to issue the RFI the day after this announcement then you're already late.  The Air side is covered.  Your ground forces are hurting.  MRAPs are not IFVs.  The AAV is not an IFV.  The US Army has gone through the M-113, Bradley A1, A2 and A3 and now the Stryker!  We've soldiered on with the AAV.  You've got to get this together.  

WE NEED AN IFV!  WE DON'T NEED THE IAR!  SIR, GET IT TOGETHER SIR! 

Raw Video of 3/5 Kicking Taliban Ass...

Marines with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines have been fighting the Taliban throughout Afghanistan's Sangin Valley for three months. They experience enemy contact almost daily and have gained tremendous ground. In a recent operation, Marines and Afghan soldiers fought through an enemy ambush and built a new patrol base. Marines continue to work with Afghan security forces and Afghan government authorities in the area. Video by Cpl. Daniel Blatter

Recovered, Repaired and Returned to Service.

A wrecked Sikorsky HH-60H Seahawk rests in the sand after it collides with another U.S. Naval helicopter during night operations in Balad, Iraq, October 2008. (Photo courtesy of Ed Galluccio)

In October 2008, an aircraft inspector evaluates a wrecked Sikorsky HH-60H Seahawk damaged during a mishap in Balad, Iraq. Fleet Readiness Center Southeast artisans completed repairs in December 2010 and returned the aircraft to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 84 in early January. (Photo courtesy of Ed Galluccio)

The Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 84 aircrew taxis down the flight line at Naval Air Station Jacksonville for a functional check flight Jan. 4. In October 2008, another Seahawk struck the aircraft, both with rotors turning, during night operations in Iraq causing extensive damage to the helicopter. Both aircraft were airlifted to Fleet Readiness Center Southeast: one to be repaired, the other to be used for parts. FRCSE artisans were able to repair both and return them to service. (U.S. Navy photo by Marsha Childs/Released)

A Seahawk hovers for 30 minutes above the Naval Air Station Jacksonville runway during an acceptance flight piloted by Lt. Cmdr. Chris Murphy and co-piloted by Lt. Gabe Yancey of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 84, Jan. 4. Fleet Readiness Center Southeast artisans repaired two helicopters involved in a Class “A” mishap in Iraq October 2008. (U.S. Navy photo by Marsha Childs/Released)


via NavAir...

The Class “A” mishap occurred when the main rotor of a mobile Seahawk clipped the tail pylon of a second stationary helicopter during night operations that injured Iraqi and U.S. personnel and caused more than $1 million damage to each aircraft.

The stationary aircraft sustained extensive tail pylon damage requiring a total replacement of the tail pylon and accessories, a repair that depot-level maintainers could handle.

The taxiing aircraft landed on its right side sustaining excessive damage. The right-hand landing gear and associated support structure either snapped off or collapsed into the lower fuselage. Also damaged were the aft weapons pylon and the horizontal stabilizer.

Based on an initial visual assessment, it seemed likely the aircraft was destined for the Stricken Aircraft Reclamation and Disposal Program (SARDIP) and stripped of valuable components with the remainder sold for scrap metal...(it didn't happen that way...follow the link for the whole story!)

An amazing job was done by the guys at the Fleet Readiness Center.  Well Done!

Did the Navy help sink the EFV?

Jonathan sent me this article on the killing of the EFV from the New York Times...read the whole thing here, but this portion caught my attention...

Navy officials have suggested that Marines would only undertake assaults after enemy defenses had been largely subdued through weeks of bombing by ships and planes. But retired Marines say it is naïve to think that the military would always have such a luxury of time or that bombing works that well.

My first impression when I read that was WTF?!  And my second was...what office was putting this out?  Which part of the Navy has declared war on the Marine Corps?  The article did not name officials but I'm definitely trying to find out.  More later.

Navy, Army and Marines conduct logistics exercise.

USS CARTER HALL, At Sea-Marines from 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit transfer a 7-ton truck from amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) onto U.S. Army logistics support vessel USAV SP/4 James A. Loux (LSV-6) during a stern gate transfer. During a stern gate transfer, two ships at sea connect to transport supplies, equipment and personnel. Carter Hall is part of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released), PO3 Kristin L. Grover, 12/23/2010 8:06 AM

USS CARTER HALL, At Sea-U.S. Army logistics support vessel USAV SP/4 James A. Loux (LSV-6) prepares to conduct a stern gate transfer with amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). During a stern gate transfer, two ships at sea connect to transport supplies, equipment and personnel. Carter Hall is part of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released), PO3 Kristin L. Grover, 12/23/2010 7:31 AM

USS CARTER HALL, At Sea-Amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) performs a stern gate transfer with U.S. Army logistics support vessel USAV SP/4 James A. Loux (LSV-6). During a stern gate transfer, two ships at sea connect to transport supplies, equipment and personnel.Carter Hall is part of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released), PO3 Kristin L. Grover, 12/23/2010 8:02 AM

USS CARTER HALL, At Sea-U.S. Army landing craft utility USAV Molino Del Rey (LCU 2029) prepares to perform a stern gate transfer with amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50). During a stern gate transfer, two ships at sea connect to transport supplies, equipment and personnel. Carter Hall is part of Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group, supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kristin L. Grover/Released), PO3 Class Kristin L. Grover, 12/23/2010 10:03 AM


Awesome.  I'm personally happy to see this.  While this may seem like a non-event, its much more than that.  This is another step in the Sea-Basing Concept.  If they could only get the JHSV (and maybe an LHA/LHD) into the act next time then all the basic pieces will be in place.  But even more importantly, the US Army is finally getting into the act.  If that service buys in then the concept is assured of further funding.

A Common Sense Statement on the J-20.

via Flight Global.com ... read the whole thing here.

Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, warns about concluding much based on available images.
"Drawing even tentative conclusions about anything other than the basic airframe configuration strikes me as speculative," he says. "The canard-delta configuration, coupled with canted vertical fins, is reminiscent of MiG's now cancelled 1.42 programme, and it would be interesting to know why the Chinese designers settled on this approach, rather than that of the Lockheed F-22 or Sukhoi T-50 platform."