Pic of the day...

12/22/2011 By Andy Wolfe
Headquarters Marine Corps
Lt. Col. Matt Taylor lands an F-35B Short Take-Off Vertical Landing aircraft Dec. 13 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The first test flight of the STOVL variant by a Marine was in 2009.

Aselsan Tank Modernization

Interesting video.  They claim that this upgrade is a step beyond the Leopard 2A6 but I just don't see it.  Any Tankers know for sure?

A waste of an aircraft carrier...

Above you see a drawing of the "proposed" HMS Queen Elizabeth class that was canceled.  Note that it came in at around 60,000 tons, was to carry 24 Phantom fighters, 12 Buccaneers and presumably at least a couple or 6 helicopters for various duties (including plane guard).

Fast forward to today and what do we have the British Ministry of Defense planning for their flagship in terms of aircraft?  12.  A grand total of 12 fighters.

Say that out loud and see if it makes sense to you.  12 fighters on a 60,000 ton aircraft carrier.  What a waste of a fabulous capability.

USMC goes full bore with civilian shooters...

I keep saying that civilian shooting in the US is leading the military and influencing its training and equipment set more and more.


The above video is just more evidence of that trend. 

Battalion Landing Team 1/2 conduct beach raid exercise

Amphibious assault vehicles assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/2 prepare for a beach raid exercise aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York. New York is underway participating in composite training unit exercise, a major requirement for the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group's certification for deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Recruit Scott Youngblood)

Amphibious assault vehicles assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/2 debark from the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York for a beach raid exercise. New York is underway participating in composite training unit exercise, a major requirement for the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group's certification for deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Recruit Scott Youngblood)

Amphibious assault vehicles assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/2 debark from the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship USS New York for a beach raid exercise. New York is underway participating in composite training unit exercise, a major requirement for the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group's certification for deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Recruit Scott Youngblood)

Vice Adm. David Venlet brings in his boys...

Note that this is pure speculation on my part...

But it appears that Admiral Venlet is solidifying his grip on the F-35 program.  Management classes teach that if you're going to be a 'change agent' that you need to have your people in places of power to see your vision carried out to completion.

Now check out this press release from NAVAIR...

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md.—Building on his history as a test pilot , Navy Capt. Erik Etz recently assumed duties here as the senior military representative of the F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF).

Etz became the director for Test and Evaluation of F-35 Naval Variants in November, and replaces Marine Corps Col. Roger Cordell, who on Dec. 21 took command of Naval Test Wing Atlantic, which includes the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23.

“We could not have selected anyone better than Erik for the demands of the job at Pax River,” said Vice Adm. David Venlet, Joint Strike Fighter program executive officer. “Roger did a fantastic job of capitalizing on the momentum built in B and C test evaluation there in the past year, and I’m fully confident Erik will maintain that momentum.”

An F/A-18 pilot, Etz was the deputy lead for the F-35 Mission Systems Integrated Product Team at the Joint Strike Fighter Program Office in Crystal City, Va. He is a 1998 graduate of the U.S. Navy Test Pilot School, and completed two tours in VX-23, including a lead role in the third sea trials for the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet.

“The ITF this year has really ramped up the pace and diversity of flight test, completing initial ship trials for [the short takeoff and vertical landing variant], first catapult testing, including [the electromagnetic aircraft launching system], and getting ahead on test points,” Etz said. “I look forward to another great year of retiring risk in 2012, so we can get these aircraft out to the fleet.”

The F-35B short take-off and vertical landing variant and the F-35C carrier variant of the Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter are undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River. The jets represent the next generation of tactical aircraft for the Navy, Marine Corps and international partners.

During his operational tours, including command of the “Stingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, Etz completed multiple carrier-based deployments, most recently in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He has more than 3,300 flight hours in 35 types of aircraft, including over 2,700 hours in F/A-18 variants and more than 840 carrier landings on 14 different aircraft carriers.

Cordell’s yearlong stint included managing the F-35 ITF of more than 700 military, civilian and industry personnel. The team completed delivery of six test aircraft, including all three of the F-35C variants, bringing the total test force to eight.

“I have never been associated with a group of people who faced a more daunting challenge with the inspiring spirit, confidence and ability so prevalent at the ITF,” Cordell wrote in a note to the ITF. “Future success in delivering F-35 to the warfighter depends on your continued commitment to doing things right, trusting your judgment and voicing concerns.”

Read this part again...

commitment to doing things right, trusting your judgment and voicing concerns.”

Call me chicken little but it appears that more is going on behind the scenes then meets the eye.  Still a fan of the airplane but the action isn't at Lockheed Martin or the Pentagon anymore.  The action is at the Program Office and that's where I'll be turning my binoculars!

The Falklands...a flashpoint for 2012...

Think Defence took me to task for my thinking that the Falklands was endangered in this post.

Take the time to read his entire article and then read the comments section.

Then read this from DefenceTalk...

A South American trading bloc that includes Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay agreed Tuesday to close its ports to ships flying the flag of the disputed Falkland Islands, Uruguay's president said.The presidents of the Mercosur countries agreed at a summit here that ships flying the Falklands flag "should not dock in Mercosur ports, and if that were to happen, they should not be accepted in another Mercosur port," Uruguay's President Jose Mujica said.A statement issued at the end of the summit said member countries would adopt "all measures that can be put in place to impede the entry to its ports of ships that fly the illegal flag of the Malvinas Islands."Argentina's President Cristina Kirchner, who took over the presidency of the trade bloc from Mujica, thanked her fellow presidents for the show of support for Buenos Aires in its dispute with Britain over the South Atlantic archipelago.

Those that don't see the clouds or hear the drumbeats are fooling themselves.  Argentina has just set the stage diplomatically for the South American "federation" to unite behind a particular cause.


Unless the British respond appropriately then this is going to be a mission accomplished without a shot being fired.

Marines revolutionize the battlefield...again...

The US Marine Corps has a proud history of being "combat innovators"...It seems like that tradition continues...

via Ares...

Updated again on 12/20

Word has come down to me that the K-MAX has not only successfully completed its maiden cargo flight, but is in fact now fully operational. Open source reporting has said that there are two K-MAX unmanned helicopters in Afghanistan, which would presumably mean that both are up and running when and where they're needed. It also looks like they're probably only flying at night, according to information put out by NAVAIR. “Most of the missions will be conducted at night and at higher altitudes,” said Marine Capt. Caleb Joiner, mission commander. “This will allow us to keep out of small arms range.”
[UPDATED]

On Saturday morning, the ISAF Joint Command (IJC) in Afghanistan confirmed that the K-MAX unmanned helicopter had (or will some time today) fly its first cargo mission in Afghanistan, meaning that if all goes well, we’re now in the age of unmanned logistics. In response to an email,the IJC writes back:

“The first unmanned flight without cargo was 15 December. It is scheduled for its first unmanned flight with cargo, today, 17 December.”

First to fight.

First to revolutionize the modern battlefield.

Terminal Lance...when you eat it..

Terminal Lance is crazy as hell...but speaks much truth!

But even funnier is the commentary that he provides....

…you’ll shit bricks.
Ask any Marine, Soldier, Airman or Sailor and they’ll tell you that the “Meal, Ready to Eat” (MRE) we’re issued every field op does excruciating and somewhat absurd things to the colon and bowels on its digestive quest through the body. I don’t think I’ve ever actually figured out what causes the phenomenon, or whether it’s intentional by the manufacturer (I say manufacturer, because I assure you… MRE’s are not “made” or “cooked”–they are manufactured). The side effect of fake ingredients and preservatives provides the average Marine with a few day’s worth of stored up, rock hard poop ready to wreak its wrath upon any nigh port-a-shitters.
There are two noteworthy benefits the infamous “MRE shit”:

• You poop once every couple of days.
• The “clean wipe”

I suppose being backed up for days on end is unusual and generally unwanted for the average person–I know that now, as a civilian, I value my morning coffee-poops like any red-blooded American should. However, when you’re sleeping in filth and you’re stuck in the field doing a lot of physical work, not having to excrete your bowels at a normal rate is good because it keeps you less likely to be in the head when shit goes downhill. God help you when you do–it will be a trip to the john you won’t forget. You’ll brace yourself, bite your lip and push with all the might and power that your creator has bestowed upon you to pass these epic shits. But when they’re done, their rock-solid composition has left your backside surprisingly clean.
This leads to the second benefit: the clean wipe. As mentioned, being in the field means you’ll be sleeping in your own filth and not bathing for days. What could be better than walking out of the head with your rectum as clean as you came in? Plus, it’s just cool to go for the wipe and come up white.

Composite Unit Training Exercise

All photos by Lance Cpl. Michael Petersheim

Marines and sailors with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, set up a command post using two Assault Amphibian Vehicles during a field training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Marines and sailors with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to embark on Assault Amphibian Vehicles prior to conducting a mechanized assault from the USS New York (LPD-21) onto an enemy objective on land at Camp Lejeune, Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

Lance Cpl. Richard Gonzalez, a radio operator with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, sets up a field radio antenna during a training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. Gonzalez is a native of El Paso, Texas.

Sgt. Charles Wesley Hope, the chief armory custodian with Alpha Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit ties rope around a stake to secure a field antenna during a field training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea. Hope is a native of Douglas County, Ga.

USS New York (LPD-21) positioned off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., supporting Marines and sailors of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit during an amphibious assault onto Camp Lejeune, Dec. 18. The USS New York launched a mechanized infantry company from the 24th MEU's battalion landing team and air support in the form of UH-1 Hueys and AH-1 Cobras, all of which are embarked on the ship during the three-week long Composite Training Unit Exercise. COMPTUEX, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8, is focused on developing cohesion between the 24th MEU and PHIBRON 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea.

An AH-1 Super Cobra, with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron VMM-261 (Rein), 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, flies to its objective in support of an amphibious assault during a training exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Dec. 18. The training was part of the Composite Training Unit Exercise, the second at-sea training period for 24th MEU, scheduled to take place Nov. 28 to Dec. 21. The training is meant to develop cohesion between the 24th MEU and Amphibious Squadron 8 in conducting amphibious operations, crisis response, and limited contingency operations while operating from the sea