11th MEU at sea...

The amphibious transport dock New Orleans chases a vessel during a counterpiracy exercise Aug. 14. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island and New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

Marines with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force conduct a search of a vessel during a counterpiracy exercise Aug. 14. The unit embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island and the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May.  Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

A scout sniper with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's maritime raid force sights in from a helicopter during a counterpiracy exercise Aug. 14. The unit embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island and the amphibious transport dock New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

The amphibious transport dock New Orleans shoulders a vessel during a counterpiracy exercise Aug. 14. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked the amphibious assault ship Makin Island and New Orleans in San Diego and sailed Aug. 10 to begin its first seagoing exercise since becoming a complete Marine air-ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

A UH-1Y Huey with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element takes off from USS Makin Island Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

An AH-1Z Super Cobra with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element takes off from USS Makin Island Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

A CH-46E Sea Knight with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element takes off from USS Makin Island Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

Marines from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268(Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element, fly a CH-46E Sea Knight onto USS Makin Island Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

A Marine with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), prepares to fly off USS Makin Island in a UH-1Y Huey Aug. 12. The 11th MEU is conducting its first at sea exercise since becoming a complete Marine air ground task force in May. Photo by Lance Cpl. Justin Stein

ISAF Joins President Karzai in Condemning the Attack in Parwan Province

via ISAF

ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office- Afghanistan
2011-08-CA-004For Immediate Release
 
KABUL, Afghanistan (August 14, 2011) – The International Security Assistance Force joins President Karzai in condemning the IED attacks that killed 19 and wounded 37 today at the Provincial Governor’s compound in Parwan Province.

Initial reports indicate that one vehicle borne IED and as many as six other personal borne IEDs were detonated.

“This attack is another example of despicable behavior by insurgents,” said Rear Admiral Hal Pittman, ISAF Deputy Chief of Staff, Communications. “Violent attacks that wound and kill civilians are not acceptable in any religion or culture. Our condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims.”

Another attack.

Another day in Afghanistan.

Time to leave.  Now.

A moment alone

Dakota Meyer, 23, finds quiet and solitude in the Green County High School gym to practice his speech before giving remarks to his high school faculty and staff in Greensburg, Ky., Aug. 3. Meyer will be receiving the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor, from President Barack Obama in Washington, Sept. 15, making him the first living Marine recipient since the Vietnam War. Meyer was assigned to Embedded Training Team 2-8 advising the Afghan National Army in the eastern provinces bordering Pakistan. He will be awarded for heroic actions in Ganjgal, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2009.

Now these bastards are sending out press releases...

Jonathan...thanks for the heads up...I wish it were better news.

God get us out of Afghanistan....PLEASE.

I wish someone could explain to me the strategic reasoning behind continuing the fight in a country thats involved in a civil war, that desires to remain stuck in the 18th century, that has fewer than 100 AQ terrorist in it and one in which we are in essence nation building.

Rant over. Here's the news we all dread.

Five NATO Servicemen Killed in Afghan IED Attack

ABC News(KABUL, Afghanistan) -- Five American servicemembers of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) were killed in southern Afghanistan Thursday.

According to the ISAF, the troops died after they were attacked by an improvised explosive device, or IED.  A defense official says Americans were among the casualties.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, sending a text message to the media.  They said two American Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, or MRAPs, were targeted in the Marja and Gereshk districts of Helmand province.

The servicemembers have not yet been identified.

These service men are more than likely Marines.  Helmand Province falls under Task Force Leatherneck control.

Replay. Warrior Song.

Always loved the video but wondered about the words...below are the lyrics....have a good Friday.

I am a Marine on the beach, I’m a killin’ machine, with a need to bleed you when the light goes green, best believe, I’m in a zone to be, from my Yin to my Yang Tze. Put a grin on my chin, come to me, cuz I’ll win, I’m one-of-a-kind and I’ll bring death to place you’re about to be: another river of blood runnin’ under my feet. Forged in fire lit long ago, stand next to me, you’ll never stand alone. I’m last to leave, but the first to go, Hard Corps is the only way I know. I feedon the fear of the devil inside of the enemy faces in my sights; aim with the hand, shoot with the mind, kill with a heart like arctic ice.

I am a Devil-Dog I’m marching on, I am a warrior and this is my song

I bask in the glow of the rising war, lay waste to the ground of an enemy shore, wade through the blood spilled on the floor, and if another one stands I’ll kill some more. Bullet in the breach and fire in me, like a cigarette thrown to gasoline, if death don’t bring you fear then death ain’t brought by no Marine. Come to the nightmare, come to me, deep down in the dark where the devil be, in the maw with the jaws and the razor teeth, where the brimstone burns and the angel weeps. Call to the dogs if Icross your path and my silhouette hangs like a body bag; hope is a moment now long past, the shadow of death is one I cast.

I am a Devil-Dog I’m marching on, I am a warrior and this is my song
Hell has no demon I won’t overcome, I am a warrior and this is my song

Now I live lean and I mean to inflict the grief, and the least of me’s still of your reach. The killing machine’s gonna do the deed, intil the river runs dry and my last breath leaves. Chin in the air with a head held high, I’ll stand in the path of the enemy line. Feel no fear, know my pride: for God and Country I’ll end your life.

I am a Devil-Dog I’m marching on, I am a warrior and this is my song
Hell has no demon I won’t overcome, I am a warrior and this is my song
I made the devil himself turn and run, I am a warrior and this is my song
Into the fire I will keep marchin’ on. Oorah. Marine Corps. Get Some…

Good night Chesty...wherever you are...

Funny.

via Everyday no days off blog....

E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Capabilities

I really wanted to leave this alone...

But this press release from ISAF raises questions in my mind.....

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2011-08-S-025
For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (Aug. 10, 2011) – Coalition forces killed the Taliban insurgents involved with the recent downing of the CH-47 helicopter, with a precision airstrike in Chak district, Wardak province, yesterday.

The strike killed Taliban leader Mullah Mohibullah and the insurgent who fired the shot associated with the Aug. 6 downing of the CH-47 helicopter, which resulted in the deaths of 38 Afghan and coalition service members.

Mullah Mohibullah was a key facilitator in an insurgent attack cell led by Din Mohammad, a Taliban leader killed in a previous Special Operations mission. As a leader in Mohammad’s network in Tangi valley, Mohibullah had as many as 12 Taliban fighters under his command, including potential suicide bombers.

On the night of the crash, the inbound CH-47 carried Special Operations Forces intended to pursue insurgents from Mohammad’s network that were fleeing an engagement in which six militants had already been killed. While it has not been determined if enemy fire was the sole reason for the helicopter crash, it did take fire from several insurgent locations on its approach.

After an exhaustive manhunt, Special Operations forces located Mullah Mohibullah and the shooter after receiving multiple intelligence leads and tips from local citizens. The two men were attempting to flee the country in order to avoid capture.

The security force located and followed the insurgents to a wooded area in Chak district. After ensuring no civilians were in the area, the force called for the airstrike which resulted in the deaths of the Mullah Mohibullah, the shooter, and several of their Taliban associates.

The security force assesses no civilians were harmed during the strike.

I hate parsing words.  To me thats what the truly arrogant do.  But this paragraph from the dispatch has me scratching my head.

On the night of the crash, the inbound CH-47 carried Special Operations Forces intended to pursue insurgents from Mohammad’s network that were fleeing an engagement in which six militants had already been killed. While it has not been determined if enemy fire was the sole reason for the helicopter crash, it did take fire from several insurgent locations on its approach.

Man!

Does that mean that the SEALs weren't actually on a rescue mission but were being used as a blocking force and that later they were going to cordon and search the area?



I'm also curious how they can be so certain that they caught the shooter.


More questions than answers and I'll put any further questions or speculations on hold until the report is released.

Dogs Of War.

Shamelessly stolen from BlackFive.  Make sure you take the time to read the entire passage. 

The rumors are true. Israel seeks 20 more F-35's.

via UPI

TEL AVIV, Israel, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- The Israeli air force reportedly plans to buy another 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters under a multiyear procurement plan under review by military chiefs.
Last October, Israel purchased 20 of the stealth jets, considered the most advanced combat aircraft in existence, for $2.75 billion.
If the second tranche is approved, amid competing demands for such big-ticket weapons as more warships and missile defense systems, Israel could have 40 F-35s operational by the end of the decade, depending on when contract for the second batch is signed.
That would allow Israel's air force, the most powerful in the region, to maintain its supremacy at a time when Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are upgrading their air power with massive arms deals with the United States, largely to counter an expansionist Iran.

Love it.

Now if the F-35 can get back in the air either this week or next and Lockheed Martin would finally MAN UP and cancel its advertising on Aviation Week then I'm well on the way to having a great week.