US Special Operations Blackhawks spotted on British LHD!

Rohan!  You're magnificent!  I didn't spot this at first because I was so focused on the non-event of Apache's operating at sea.  Luckily Rohan did.  Check out the Helos at the stern of the ship!  3 Blackhawks.

Interesting.  Photo was published by the British Ministry of Defense.

F-35C Catapult Launch Testing

11th MEU Propaganda.

Damn!


11th MEU must have the best PAO shop in the Marine Corps.  Good stuff.

Pic of the day. August 24, 2011.

A CH-47 Chinook helicopter drops off Army soldiers to practice squad-level tactics during Operation Checkerboard on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., Aug. 10, 2011. The soldiers are assigned to Headquarters Company, 99th Regional Support Command. The tactics include moving as a squad, reacting to contact, establishing a perimeter and conducting a tactical road march U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Shawn Morris

What if???? F-15N Sea Eagle.

F-35 in STOVL mode

F-35B test aircraft BF-1 on flight 147, Aug. 22, 2011. Lt. Col. Fred Schenk pilots the aircraft in short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) mode.

The above photos look like no big deal right?  I mean sure we've seen the F-35 in STOVL mode before....but one thing should be apparent.  Its over water and you can bet that these flights are in preparation for the shipboard tests due to start this fall.

My gut reaction?  Expect the Marine Corps to move up its IOC even further.  I wouldn't be surprised to see these planes being sent to Marine bases in late 2012

SOTG teaches Marine Coxwain Course.

Apache Helicopter Takes off from HMS Ocean During Operation Ellamy

An Army Air Corps Apache helicopter takes off from HMS Ocean during Operation Ellamy, the UK's contribution to UNSCR1973 in the Mediterranean Sea.
Photographer: LA(Phot) Guy Pool

An Army Air Corps Apache helicopter takes off from HMS Ocean during Operation Ellamy, the UK's contribution to UNSCR1973 in the Mediterranean Sea near Libya.
Photographer: LA(Phot) Guy Pool