The Russians just got 6 more of the most deadly planes in their arsenal...

via Defense Talk...

Today, four serial Su-34 frontline bombers went up in the sky from the runway airport of the Novosibirsk Aircraft Production Association (NAPO) and off to the place of their deployment at the air base in Voronezh. Two more aircraft will arrive there in the next few days. The aircraft delivery is carried out in the framework of the five-year state contract signed in 2008 to supply 32 Su-34 frontline bombers to the Russian Defense Ministry.

Read the whole thing but from my view point (Navy and Marines) the deadliest airplane the Russians currently possess is the SU-34.

The SU-27 and its clones might get all the press but the SU-34 is the real heavy hitter of the bunch.  Fast.  Big.  Massive payload.  Crazy range.

If you're onboard an LHD, LPD or LSD sailing into harms way you better hope the guys on the destroyers are up to speed on anti-air...and whatever plane you're talking about...whether F-35 or F-18, you won't have the range to hit them before they can launch their missiles.

The SU-34.  The most underrated airplane in the Russian arsenal.  When the Chinese start buying these then you know they're serious about making a push in the Pacific.

Exercise Kilat Eagle

Marines with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a CH-46E Sea Knight aboard USS Makin Island here Dec. 14 to participate in Exercise Kilat Eagle, a bilateral training event between Marines and sailors of MEU and soldiers from the Malaysian Army. The Camp Pendleton, Calif., based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from San Diego Nov. 14 aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor and arrived in Malaysia Dec. 14 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions. Photo by Capt. Roger Hollenbeck

Marines with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, walk to a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard USS Makin Island here Dec. 14 to participate in Exercise Kilat Eagle, a bilateral training event between Marines and sailors of MEU and soldiers from the Malaysian Army. The Camp Pendleton, Calif., based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from San Diego Nov. 14 aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor and arrived in Malaysia Dec. 14 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions.  Photo by Capt. Roger Hollenbeck

Marines with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a CH-53E Super Stallion aboard USS Makin Island here Dec. 14 to participate in Exercise Kilat Eagle, a bilateral training event between Marines and sailors of MEU and soldiers from the Malaysian Army. The Camp Pendleton, Calif., based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from San Diego Nov. 14 aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor and arrived in Malaysia Dec. 14 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions. Photo by Capt. Roger Hollenbeck

A CH-53E Super Stallion from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) departs USS Makin Island here Dec. 14 to fly 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit personnel to Kuantan, Malaysia for Exercise Kilat Eagle, a bilateral training event between Marines and sailors of MEU and soldiers from the Malaysian Army. The Camp Pendleton, Calif., based 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed from San Diego Nov. 14 aboard USS Makin Island, USS New Orleans and USS Pearl Harbor and arrived in Malaysia Dec. 14 as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East regions  Photo by Capt. Roger Hollenbeck

I am not a Sheep Dog.

via Vuurwapen Blog...

I wasn't carrying a gun to stop a school shooter and become some sort of hero. I was carrying a gun to preserve my own life. Just as I always carried a loaded Beretta 9 mm tucked inside my uniform when with Iraqi policemen inside their "station," I didn't trust that anyone else would be looking out for me first. It's not that I didn't think that the University of Arizona Police Department wouldn't do their very best to stop any potential shooting as soon as possible. I simply knew all too well how quickly such situations could play out, and how help nearby could be no help at all.
My carry philosophy has not changed much since that first day. My parents taught me to be responsible for myself. Scouting taught me to be prepared. Combat taught me to be aware.

Read the whole thing.  It should open up many eyes to the dangers of stumbling into situation where you don't have all the information.

Marine air interdiction force supports Afghan Border Patrol from above

KHAN-NESHIN, Afghanistan-U.S. Marine Sgt. Eric Colley, a 23-year-old native of Caldwell, Idaho, posts security during an air interdiction force mission here, Dec. 7. The AIF mission was conducted in support of an Afghan Border Police led clearing operation in Khan-Neshin. During the mission, Marines and sailors from Charlie Co., 1/25, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, circled above, searching for suspicious vehicles or personnel. The AIF plays a unique role with Regimental Combat Team 5’s counter-insurgency operations in southern Helmand. , Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez, 12/11/2011 11:49 PM

KHAN-NESHIN, Afghanistan-U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. John Lynch, a 22-year-old Brookfield, Conn. native and motor transport operator with 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, posts security during an air interdiction force mission here, Dec. 7. The AIF mission was conducted in support of an Afghan Border Police led clearing operation in Khan-Neshin. During the mission, Marines and sailors from Charlie Co., 1/25, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, circled above, searching for suspicious vehicles or personnel. The AIF plays a unique role with Regimental Combat Team 5’s counter-insurgency operations in southern Helmand., Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez, 12/11/2011 10:44 PM

KHAN-NESHIN, Afghanistan-U.S. Marine Sgt. Alston Hays, an air interdiction force team member with Regimental Combat Team 5, searches a local man during an air interdiction force mission here, Dec. 7. The AIF mission was conducted in support of an Afghan Border Police led clearing operation in Khan-Neshin. During the mission, Marines and sailors from Charlie Co., 1/25, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, circled above, searching for suspicious vehicles or personnel. The AIF plays a unique role with Regimental Combat Team 5’s counter-insurgency operations in southern Helmand., 2nd Lt. Chris Harper, 12/11/2011 10:43 PM

KHAN-NESHIN, Afghanistan-U.S. Marines with the air interdiction force composed of 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, pause for a break as a CH-53 Sea Stallion refuels during an Afghan Border Police led clearing operation here, Dec. 7. The AIF circles high in sky above, searching for suspicious vehicles or personnel, and plays a unique role in counter-insurgency operations in southern Helmand. , Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez, 12/12/2011 12:23 AM

KHAN-NESHIN, Afghanistan-U.S. Marine Sgt. Ryan McDowell, a 24-year-old rifleman from Kent, Ohio, moves toward a target during an air interdiction force mission here, Dec. 7. The AIF mission was conducted in support of an Afghan Border Police led clearing operation in Khan-Neshin. During the mission, Marines and sailors from Charlie Co., 1/25, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, circled above, searching for suspicious vehicles or personnel. The AIF plays a unique role with Regimental Combat Team 5’s counter-insurgency operations in southern Helmand., Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez, 12/11/2011 11:10 PM

KHAN-NESHIN, Afghanistan-KHAN NESHIN, Helmand province, Afghanistan – U.S. Marines with the air interdiction force composed of 1st Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, search a vehicle during an air interdiction force mission here, Dec. 7. The AIF mission was conducted in support of an Afghan Border Police led clearing operation in Khan-Neshin. During the mission, Marines and sailors from Charlie Co., 1/25, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, circled above, searching for suspicious vehicles or personnel. The AIF plays a unique role with Regimental Combat Team 5’s counter-insurgency operations in southern Helmand., Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez, 12/11/2011 10:42 PM

KHAN-NESHIN, Afghanistan-U.S. Marine Capt. Stephen Bartoszak, Charlie Company, 1/25 executive officer and 27-year-old native of Centereach, N.Y., posts security during an air interdiction force mission here, Dec. 7. The AIF mission was conducted in support of an Afghan Border Police led clearing operation in Khan-Neshin. During the mission Marines and sailors from Charlie Co., 1/25, and 2nd Bn., 11th Marines, circled above, searching for suspicious vehicles or personnel. The AIF plays a unique role with Regimental Combat Team 5’s counter-insurgency operations in southern Helmand., Cpl. Alfred V. Lopez, 12/11/2011 11:39 PM

Russian Naval Infantry landing exercise...

via English Russia

Australia picks its JLTV...

Jonathan (thanks again!) sent me this article that shows the silliness of US ground vehicle procurement programs.  The Aussies have gotten their JLTV pick selected and we're still wandering around dazed and confused.  Good for them, pathetic for us.  Read it here but a tidbit...

Australia aims to buy up to 1,300 of the high-mobility Hawkei, to be built in Bendigo where Thales Australia also produces the larger Bushmaster infantry vehicle, used by Australian, British and Dutch troops in Afghanistan.

Pic of the day.

Apache helicopters of the Israeli and Hellenic Air Forces fly together in a joint aerial exercise. These types of exercises are a central aspect of the Israel-Greece military cooperation.Photo by Israel Air Force.

A couple of things about this photo that the IDF is highlighting as its pic of the day.  First this photo was taken in July of this year.  Is this part of the propaganda effort against Iran?  Second, its hard to miss the Israeli Apache's operating with fuel tanks in the pic.  Lastly what's with all the training with European countries?  They practically have a base in Romania and they're drilling their asses off with the Greeks, but nothing with the French, Germans or UK.  Is there a split in the EU with regards to Israel or is it simply a military issue?  I don't know but will be asking.