Joint Terminal Attack Controllers provide air support for convoys

Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) in action.

NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, POINT, Calif.-A CH-46E Sea Knight lands at Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268's forward arming and refueling point July 12 Camp San Luis Opispo during the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's large-scale exercise with ocean and urban-based scenarios. The reinforced squadron is the aviation combat element for the unit. , Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 7/12/2011 1:05 PM

NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, POINT, Calif.-Marines with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) exit a CH-53E Super Stallion at Camp San Luis Obispo, Calif., July 12. The Marines set up a forward arming and refueling point during the 11th Marine Expeditionary unit's large-scale exercise with ocean and urban-based scenarios. The squadron is the aviation combat element for the unit., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 7/12/2011 11:10 AM

NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, POINT, Calif.-Lance Cpl. Kevin A. Kohl, left, and Cpl. Daniel T. Conroy provide security at Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268's forward arming and refueling point at Camp San Luis Opispo July 12 during the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's large-scale exercise with ocean and urban-based scenarios. Kohl, 19, is from Buffalo, N.Y. Conroy, 21, is from Boston. Both Marines serve as low-altitude air defense gunners with the reinforced squadron, which is the aviation combat element for the unit., Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 7/12/2011 2:09 PM

NAVAL BASE VENTURA COUNTY, POINT, Calif.-Cpl. James H. Schmall checks a fuel gauge on a CH-46E Sea Knight at Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268's forward arming and refueling point at Camp San Luis Opispo July 12. Schmall, a 23-year-old Jackson, Mich., native, is a CH-46E crew chief with the reinforced squadron, which is the aviation combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. , Lance Cpl. Ryan Carpenter, 7/12/2011 1:37 PM

Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team...

All Photos by SSgt Ryan Crane. 

 

Sgt. Normand Gagnon, team leader attached to Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, scans the mountainside for enemy activity while on a patrol in Alingar District July 13. Laghman PRT's mission was to meet with the Alingar District leaders then perform a final inspection on two construction projects in the area.

U.S. Army Capt. Devin Ciminero, company commander, attached to Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, watches his sector while serving as personal security for the civil affairs team speaking with a local school teacher in Alingar District July 13. Laghman PRT's mission was to meet with the Alingar district leaders, then perform a final inspection on two construction projects in the area.

Spc. Adam Supino, rifleman attached to Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team, scans a mountain side for enemy activity while on a patrol in Alingar District July 13. Laghman PRT's mission was to meet with the Alingar District leaders then perform a final inspection on two construction projects in the area.

Note*
How are these units farmed out?  Do they fall under a Brigade or do they come under control of a Regional Command?

First F-35A delivered to Eglin AFB, Fla

Awesome news.

Have you noticed that all the bumps that seem to be hitting the F-35 always arrive just before another milestone is reached?

It almost seems calculated doesn't it?

Even the European's are saying it now...

via Defense Management...

The conflict in Libya should act as a "wake-up call" to the European NATO members making a "pathetic" contribution to NATO operations, Defence Secretary Liam Fox has said.

Answering questions after speaking at the Royal United Services Institute, Fox said that too many European nations in NATO were "trying to get a free ride" off the US when it came to their own security.

"It is quite clear that they [the US] cannot continue to shoulder the burden of everyone else's defence,' said Fox.

"When we look at the sometimes pathetic contributions being made by some countries inside NATO, the European elements of NATO cannot expect the US to come to our aid on every occasion.

"Far too many of our European partners are still trying to get a free ride and they should regard Libya as a wake-up call.

"The US will not always be there to bail them out and if they want an insurance policy they should think about paying the premium."

Despite the extra strain caused by the relative lack of support, Fox said that the UK would be involved in Libya for 'as long as it takes' and that it was important not to suggest there was an endpoint to NATO's commitment in the country.

"When we talk about Libya we need to be absolutely unequivocal about the signals that we send to the regime.

"The regime will take nothing but comfort from those who say we may not have the will, may not have the money, may not have the capabilities.

"Those listening in Libya should be absolutely crystal clear. We do not lack political resolve, we do not lack military capabilities and we will see our mission through."

Wow.

But before Fox slams other European countries he might want to look in the mirror.  He's gutted his own forces and his plan for the future appears to have him riding either US or French coat tails.

Twitter battle.

First we had the idiocy with the battle of the Generals with the F-35 engine wars.

Then we had the idiocy, craziness and collusion with regards to Sweetman, APA, Cox and the rest of the merry band of followers when it came to spreading lies about the F-35 and its capabilities.

Now we have the idiocy of a US Senator twitting about the F-35.

Say it out loud.

A US Senator tweets about a weapon system that the Senate Armed Services Committee (of which he is a member and the ranking Republican) has direct oversight over.  This is a piss poor way of handling any issues that he has with the program....I wonder if he's been compromised by the writings of certain "Defense Professionals"?

Read about it here but Senator McCain might seriously consider retirement.  He is out of touch with the people that he represents, had to fake it to make it in the last election and is pushing for perpetual war for the US.  The guy is a loon.

In a post Tuesday on the microblogging site, Sen. McCain sounded off on the management of the stealthy, next-generation fighter: “Congress notified that first F-35 jets have cost overruns of $771M. Outrageous! Pentagon asking for $264M down payment now. Disgraceful.”
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp. took to Twitter Wednesday in defense of the program. “The F-35 team is focused on reducing costs of the jets and is showing significant improvement in key areas,” the company said in a post Wednesday afternoon. The tweet included a link to recent Senate testimony by Tom Burbage, Lockheed’s F-35 program manager.
In reply, Sen. McCain wrote: “To most observers, a $771M cost overrun for 28 F-35s doesn’t qualify as ‘significant improvement.’ Taxpayers deserve better.”

Oh and before you hit me with "McCain is right!" consider this...he has access to all the classified information that we don't....he is well aware of the efforts being made to bring down the cost of airplane and of the work being done to streamline production.

He is simply after publicity.  You know it and I know it.

The Irish Naval Service conducting Fleet exercises.

F-35C Jet Blast Deflector Testing

Time to squash this shit, SgtMajor...

Ok SgtMajor.

Its beyond time you stuck your head up out of your foxhole and fix this shit.

Lamonthe has an article up with the same stupidity....one of your Marines asking a celebrity out on a date.

I repeat.

We are suppose to have an elite organization here but this crap is going on.


I don't see vids of the Rangers doing this crap.


I don't see vids of the 82nd doing this crap.


I don't see vids of the 101st, 10th Mountain, 25th Infantry, Sailors or even Coast Guardsmen doing this shit.

Only US Marines are getting caught up in this mess.

QUESTION:
Pace might have allowed this to go on...but would Conway?  How about Gray?  How about Krulak?  I bet there are some former Commandants and SgtMajor's of the Marine Corps that are privately going ape at the sight of this.

Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Illustrious

Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier HMS Illustrious is pictured returning to Portsmouth following her refit in Scotland.HMS Illustrious returned to her Portsmouth home today (July 7) after completing a £40m maintenance and upgrade programme in Scotland.The 22,000 tonne ship, affectionately known as Lusty, was in the Rosyth dockyard in Fife for 16 months where she underwent modifications to turn her into a helicopter and commando carrier capable of carrying a force of up to 20 helicopters and 600 fully kitted out personnel.Since leaving Rosyth on June 18 Illustrious has been undergoing sea trials off the UK coast. She will carry out further tests off the south coast before returning to the RN fleet at the end of this month.Photographer: LA(Phot) Nicky Wilson

What a waste of a fine ship.  A commando carrier is fine....but it just won't be as lethal as it should be without its Harriers.