Friday, July 15, 2011
F-35 production ramps up. First flight of AF-13.
Fighting for survival is a Marine trait world wide.
via BBC News.
The Royal Marines on board, from 40 Commando, only returned from Afghanistan at the end of last year.Wow.
They were involved in some of the fiercest fighting in Sangin.
But in the current climate of cuts they're keen to prove why they're still needed.
The amphibious skills they're re-learning - inserting troops from sea onto land - make them stand out from their rivals.They say it's what makes them more versatile than, say, the Parachute regiment.The Commanding Officer of 40 Commando, Lt Colonel Matt Jackson, tells me: "This is proving what we still can do, as opposed to what we might not be able to do".He says that's a key message when the Strategic Defence and Security Review is "biting hard".His marines put it even more bluntly."We're all fighting for our survival," says Corporal Luke Wilson, sweat dripping off his face after taking part in a dawn raid on a remote UAE island in sweltering heat.Cpl Wilson admits that the Royal Marines are stretched "not beyond our capabilities", he says, "but to the limit of our capabilities".When they finally return back to the UK, the Royal Navy will find itself even harder pressed.
HMS Albion is due to be mothballed - another casualty of Britain's defence review.
Seems like the Royal Marines and the US Marines have much more in common than I could possibly realize.
Fighting for institutional survival seems to be a trait shared by Marines world wide.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force,
All Photos by Cpl. Chad Pulliam
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) in action.
Laghman Provincial Reconstruction Team...
All Photos by SSgt Ryan Crane.
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...
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.
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.Wow.
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."
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.
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