Canadian demonstration CF-18 and a Modest Proposal...

Absolutely beautiful.

The Canadians outdid themselves with this.  As a matter of fact our European allies generally do a better job at this than we do. 

And that is a shame.

We have demonstration teams for our Harriers I know for a fact and why don't we follow the lead of others (not in all things mind you but in this case, its a damn good idea).

Lets dump the haze gray and get that bird outfitted in some striking colors with US Marine Corps emblazoned proudly on the side?  Selling the Marine Corps is something that we've got to get started on again.

Despite what some in HQMC believe, I think that the funding war is nothing more than a fight for the life of our Corps. 

And don't you believe that many aren't after our missions.

The US Army is DESIGNING medium weight Brigades that are supposedly air transportable that fight across the spectrum of warfare.

SOCOM (to include our own Recon/Force Recon and MARSOC) are aiming to be the small wars specialist.  Something that we took pride in doing for over 100 years...

The USAF is touting its ability to respond to disasters using its C-17 and C-130's...even going so far as establishing task forces to get the job done.

We're fighting for the life of our Corps.  Painting an airplane to start selling the Corps is a simple step to start the process...and well done Canucks!

SOCOM Is Gobbling Up Marine Air Assets.

A U.S. Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter provides close air support at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 29, 2012, during exercise Emerald Warrior 2012. Emerald Warrior is an annual two-week joint/combined tactical exercise sponsored by U.S. Special Operations Command designed to leverage lessons learned from operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom to provide trained and ready forces to combatant commanders. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew J. Bruch/Released

 

 

A US Marine Corps CH-46 is participating at Emerald Warrior 2012.

Now why would that be?

It because we don't have strong leadership in the Marine Corps anymore.  We have a cabal of "individuals" that lust after being called Special Ops.

But does it make sense?

NO IT DOESN'T!

SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND HAS 66,000 MEMBERS!


That's equal to 3 US Army Divisions.


It has air assets from the ....


23rd Air Force  which is composed of a number of USAF wings all tasked with supporting SOCOM.


HSC-84 and HSC-85 US Navy Helicopter Squadrons tasked to provide support to SOCOM.


160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment tasked with providing support to SOCOM.

Answer this for me.

SOCOM is due to grow to over 80,000 personnel in the next 5 years.  With a force that large are we talking about Special Ops or are we talking about another service that continues to leverage resources from the other services despite an ever expanding budget, kept in the black with little accountability.

SOCOM is a rabid dog that has lost its way and needs to be restrained.

This is nonsense.

Let me repeat myself, in less than 5 years SOCOM will number OVER 80,000 people.  That's larger than the entire British Army.

That's almost the size of the British Army and Royal Marines---combined.

That's half the size of the US Marine Corps.

And we have some brain dead desk jockey sending assets to participate in a Special Ops Exercise?

Sad.  Pathetic.  Depressing.

Free-falling for Freedom

Quietly the USMC got its full allotment of LPD-17 class ships.

via UTSanDiego.

Raytheon's Integrated Defense Systems division in San Diego has been awarded $55 million to help provide advanced electronics for LPD 27, a planned San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock warship. The 684-foot vessels are designed to carry and land Marines, as well as amphibious assault vehicles. They are among the toughest troop carriers ever built.

The Defense Department says Raytheon will work on the ship's control, navigation and communications systems, and search sensors. Much of the work involves integrating the complex systems carried aboard such vessels.

Two of these ships -- the New Orleans and Green Bay -- are home-ported in San Diego. And the newly built San Diego is scheduled to operate out of San Diego Bay.

Long lead items are already being awarded for the LPD-27.  On the down low the USMC got its full allotment of these ships.

Interesting.

With the capability that we've seen for these ships to operate MANY more helicopters than the ships that they're replacing (they're almost a mini-LHD) I'm finally understanding why there wasn't a bigger roar from HQMC when it came to the Navy reducing the number of amphibs.

If these ships can be made to operate reliably then the Secretary of the Navy's view that a smaller Navy doesn't mean a less capable one will be borne out....at least in the Gator Navy that is.

Chart via Wikipedia.

Ships of the class

Name	Number		Launched		Home port	Status
San Antonio	LPD-17		12 July 2003		Norfolk, Virginia	Active
New Orleans	LPD-18		11 December 2004		San Diego, California	Active
Mesa Verde	LPD-19		19 November 2004		Norfolk, Virginia	Active
Green Bay	LPD-20		11 August 2006		San Diego, California	Active
New York	LPD-21		19 December 2007		Norfolk, Virginia	Active
San Diego	LPD-22		7 May 2010			Under construction
Anchorage	LPD-23		12 February 2011			Under construction
Arlington	LPD-24		23 November 2010			Under construction
Somerset	LPD-25					Under construction
John P. Murtha	LPD-26					Under construction[7]
	LPD-27					Materials being purchased[8]

The best snipers in the world...US Marine Scout Snipers

A Marine Scout Sniper conceals himself as he sites in on his target aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., during the Scout Sniper Training Course. Sniper students must successfully complete three phases of training: marksmanship and basic field craft; unknown distance and stalking; and advanced field skills and mission employment before obtaining the 0317 military occupational specialty.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Lance Cpl. Cody A. Fodale

HMLA-167 trains with reconnaissance Marines

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Platoon Marines prepare to SPIE rig from the HMLA-167 UH-1Y Huey helicopter, Feb. 14.
, Lance Cpl. Manuel A. Estrada, 2/14/2012 11:23

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Platoon Marines, fast rope out of a Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 UH-1Y Huey helicopter, Feb. 14.
, Lance Cpl. Manuel A. Estrada, 2/14/2012 9:59

ARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 Marines observe 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, Force Reconnaissance Company, 3rd Platoon Marines, fast rope out of a UH-1Y Huey helicopter, Feb. 14.
, Lance Cpl. Manuel A. Estrada, 2/14/2012 9:34

F-35B External Stores Flight Test

I can't wait for this to come out.