Exercise Balikatan 2012

Ok.

I understand WHY they're doing it but it still annoys.  The USMC is not a meals on wheels organization.  We are NOT the Salvation Army with guns/jets and armored vehicles.

We are a war fighting organization.

Time to emphasize that fact.

Aviation Week must be pissed.

Thanks for the link SFERRIN.

via Spudman over at F-16.net  read the whole thing but check out these tidbits...

Here are the transcripts of the proceedings and a few nuggets of gold.

http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Bus ... arings.htm

The transcripts for the LM presentation have not been put up yet, but here is some info from the Defense Department's reply to the APA/RepSIM info:

1. A lot of classified info could not be discussed.

2. 11k pages of data is shared with Partner nations PER MONTH about the JSF.

3. The "fuel leak" from the first Eglin AFG flight was rainwater that has seeped into the panels.

4. The F-35 has been tested up to 9.88G

5. Up to 650 parameters use to ID a potential threat. For comparison's sake, the F-22 has a third of that. Talk about Situational Awareness.


 A few more things between the lines in that transcript:

- AIM-120 PK is significantly higher than the 50% when fired by the F-35 during simulations
- F-35 consistently wipes the floor with Su-35's in high detail simulation even with expert pilots on the red team
- The 2 missile (1xIR , 1xRadar) combo touted by APA so often does not work as well as APA "guesses" it does due to F-35's signature reduction measures (IR and Radar)
- Confirmation that even though you know F-35's are in the area (low band radar), you can't engage them which is the whole issue when fighting stealth aircraft
- F-35's MADL automatically routes the datalink between aircraft so as to not fire the beam directly at the enemy when connecting to the aircraft up front

You know they're banging their heads against walls over at Aviation Week...begging mommy to make the mean ole' airplane stop.  I have never in my life seen such a concerted effort to kill a US military project in my life.  We might be seeing the first signs of industrial espionage by a domestic publication, via Information Warfare to favor foreign competitors over our own domestic production base.

Israel keeping tabs on the CH-53K

Two of the best air arms in the world are keeping a close watch on the CH-53K...the first of course is the USMC.

The second is the Israeli AF.  via Israeli Defense.

Israel is closely following the development of the Sikorsky CH-53K heavy helicopter, which will replace the Yasur CH-53 helicopter used by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
While the IAF continues to upgrade the Yasur helicopters, which are planned to fly at least until 2025, there are those in the air force that are thinking of the future. For the moment, it seems that the helicopter’s only substitute is the new Sikorsky model.
This week the US Navy, the first client of the heavy helicopter, examined a proposal by Sikorsky to construct four pilot models for testing purposes. According to the original plan, the new helicopter is intended to enter operational use in 2019. The US Marine Corps has already committed to procuring 200 CH-53K helicopters.
The tri-engine helicopter will be extremely advanced. Its flight system will be a fly-by-wire (FBW) model, and it will be equipped with the most advanced systems. The helicopter is designed to carry payloads at a total weight of more than 12 tons when taking-off from areas with a height of 1800 metes.
As previously stated, the IAF is following the program and is hoping that its test pilots will already be able to perform test flights in the US in 2015.

I've always been amazed at the success of the CH-47.  Don't get me wrong, its a fine airplane and has unique capabilities but pound for pound I always considered the CH-53 better.

The Israeli's seem to agree with my assessment.  Which leaves me with only one question.  Will the USAF decide to purchase a few for SOCOM and its rescue force?  It would make perfect sense and would fill a gaping hole in their capabilities.

Time will tell.

F-35 Airstart Testing

Pic of the day.

A U.S. Navy SEAL with Naval Special Warfare Group 1 fast ropes from an Army MH-47 Chinook helicopter onto the aft deck of the fast combat support ship ROKS Hwacheon (AOE 59) March 20, 2012, in Jinhae Harbor, South Korea, during Foal Eagle 2012. Foal Eagle is a combined U.S.-South Korea field training exercise held annually in South Korea to ensure the operational readiness of air, space and cyberspace operations in the Korean theater of operations. (DoD photo by Sgt. Aaron Rognstad, U.S. Army/Released)

F-35A Flight with External Stores

11th MEU

Photos by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

 Following photos by Cpl Chad Pulliam

Internally Transportable Vehicle vs. Arctic Cat

Arctic Cat Stats

DIMENSIONS
Overall Length (in./cm) 129/327.7
Overall Width (in./cm) 60/152.4
Overall Height (in./cm) 79/200.6
Wheelbase (in./cm) 85/215.9
Ground Clearance (in./cm) 10/25.4
Dry Weight (lbs./kg) 1363/619.55

TOWING/HAULING
Rear Box Storage Capacity
(lbs./kg)
1000/454.5
Towing Capacity (lbs./kg) 1500/680.4
Underhood/Side Storage
Capacity (lbs./kg)
25/11.34 — NA

ENGINE
Displacement (cc) 695
Engine Type SOHC, 4-stroke, 4-valve w/EFI
Bore & Stroke (mm) 102x85
Cooling System Liquid with fan
Fuel Capacity (gal./liters) 8.2/31
Alternator Capacity (amps) 25
Speedometer Analog
Odometer Digital

ITV Stats

Weight	curb 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) MGW: 3,800 kg (8,400 lb)
Length	4.080 m (160.6 in)
Width	1.512 m (59.5 in)
Height	1.940 m (76.4 in) reducible to 1.40 m (55 in)
Crew	1
Engine	diesel
Payload capacity	900 kg (2,000 lb) cross country
Suspension	4x4
Fuel capacity	75 litres (20 US gal) fuel: diesel/JP MPG: 17
Speed	max 105 km/h (65 mph)
Steering system	four wheel

Simple question.

With much cheaper vehicles available that provided the same level of protection (none)...that are capable of towing the exact same mortar system around...that cost MUCH MUCH MUCH less (yes I'm repeating myself...the ITV cost over 100,000 200,000  dollars a piece, the off the shelf ATV around 16 grand...militarize it and you might be up to 40 K)...

How did we end up with the ITV?

Why isn't someone in jail?

And are we still buying these?

SIDENOTE:

Hey Marines, if you happen to be in the UK or training with Royal Marines do yourselves and the USMC a favor and refer to this vehicle as the ITV and NOT the Growler.  Informational video follows.

 

Too Damn Little. Too Fucking Late.

via Fox News.

 U.S. troops in Afghanistan now have far-reaching new protections against rogue killers among their Afghan allies, including assigned "guardian angels," fellow troops who will watch over them as they sleep.

Marine Gen. John Allen, the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, ordered the added protections in recent weeks to guard against insider threats, according to a senior military official. They come in the wake of 16 attacks on U.S. and coalition forces by Afghans that now represent nearly one-fifth of all combat deaths this year.

Some of the changes have been subtle, others less so.

In several Afghan ministries, Americans are now allowed to carry weapons. And they have been instructed to rearrange their office desks there to face the door, so they can see who is coming in, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the orders.

Two U.S. military officers working in the Afghan Interior Ministry, one of the most heavily guarded ministry buildings in Kabul, were gunned down at their desks on Feb. 25. While Allen did not detail the new measures in a briefing earlier this week, he acknowledged that changes had been made.

"We have taken steps necessary on our side to protect ourselves with respect to, in fact, sleeping arrangements, internal defenses associated with those small bases in which we operate," Allen said, adding that now someone is "always overwatching our forces."

Wow.

Leadership just doesn't get it.

Troops made this adjustment already.  Interior perimeters are standard and have been for awhile. 

The risk is not when you're sleeping but when you're having to work side by side...when you're on patrol...teaching and leading ....AFGHANS.

It must be great to order your men to do what they're already doing.

Panetta likes big deck amphibs...

via the Patch.com

“The department will continue to prioritize big deck amphibious assault ships such as the Peleliu because of the flexibility they provide commanders to move Marines and supplies ashore,” Little said.
The Peleliu has provided critical support to U.S. Central Command and to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, he said.
“In November 2001, the Peleliu conducted the deepest insertion of ground forces in Marine Corps history to launch the first Marines into Afghanistan,” Little said. “On its most recent deployment, in August 2010, the Peleliu provided relief to victims of flooding in Pakistan.”

Well ain't that something.

The guy knows a bit about the utility of Marines and the necessity of amphibs.

But....words are cheap.  Actions speak much louder.  Time to see if his actions match his word.  Military and Civilian leadership in the DoD has been beyond piss poor.  I'm at the point where if you have a star on your uniform you're not to be trusted.  

Blast from the past...Kitty Hawk as a Special Ops carrier.

Thanks for the article Joe.

The US military has conducted some real life "experiments" with carriers. The 10th Mountain Division conducted a heliborne assault during Operation Uphold Democracy and deployed 54 helicopters along with 2000 troops.

An acceptable performance under adhoc conditions...a situation that really wasn't called for but the Army (US inter service politics) had to get its boys into action.  Interestingly enough, they haven't sought to do it again.  Being an outsider looking in I would bet body parts that it had to do a bit with troop berthing, a bit with helo maintenance and a realization that Army helicopters are not marinized and are not suited to operating at sea.  I bet the bird bath got a workout on that cruise.

Regardless, SOCOM is still trying to get a big deck ship and have laid there eyes on a retiring amphib to make there dreams come true of being a full fledged service unto itself.

There first attempt is the subject of the article that Joe sent.  via the LA Times.

Specially trained forces and elite light infantry units are expected to be instrumental in the effort to locate and strike Saudi-born extremist Osama bin Laden and his Al Qaeda terror network. Some units have already been reported deployed to the region, and others are believed to be on their way.
The dispatch of the half-empty Kitty Hawk "is a little unusual, but this war is a little unusual too," said a defense official who asked to remain unidentified.
Another official noted, however, that aircraft carriers were used for a similar purpose in the 1994 U.S. military intervention in Haiti. In that operation, one carrier transported members of the Army's 10th Mountain Division, and a second carried special operations personnel.
The Kitty Hawk is the fourth carrier heading to, or already in, the region, marking the largest concentration of carrier force since the Persian Gulf War 10 years ago.
Based in Yokosuka, Japan, the Kitty Hawk usually carries about half support aircraft and half attack planes. The attack planes are F-14 Tomcats and F/A-18 Hornets; the support aircraft include surveillance planes.
Officials said they left a mix of attack and support planes on the carrier.
Military officials stressed that even without the Kitty Hawk, they had more than enough planes for any strike mission the United States was likely to order soon.
Given the limited number of targets in Afghanistan, and the presence of more than 200 U.S. planes in the region, "it's hard to imagine what we'd need more planes for," said a defense official. "What's the target?"
The Kitty Hawk, which is part of the U.S. 7th Fleet, had recently returned from nine days of exercises in the deep waters off Japan. Some observers speculated that the trip may have been intended to allow sailors and fighter pilots time to refresh their skills before they joined the anti-terrorist operation.
Of the 12 U.S. aircraft carriers, it is the only one permanently deployed outside U.S. territory, and its departure leaves East Asia without an American carrier.
A Navy spokesman said that the Kitty Hawk's official mission was to "support efforts to identify, locate and hold accountable terrorists and those who support and harbor them."

Read the whole thing for yourself, but I continue to think that ideas like this are nothing but bad ideas.  Even lacking their attack aircraft, carriers are just not designed to carry troops.

They'll keep trying and they'll keep failing.

What SOCOM really wants (and they just might get it) is a big deck LHA/LHD.  It goes against what they're suppose to be...what they're suppose to do.

But they insist on pushing the idea and too many fanboys will back it instead of calling them on it.

Questionable decision making.

via Navy Times.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jon Greenert has decided to reverse the looming deactivation of one of the Navy’s 10 carrier air wings, citing “congressional sensitivity” about reducing the service’s force structure.
In a March 20 memo, Greenert said Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.-based Carrier Air Wing 14 will not be deactivated as previously planned. CVW-14 is attached to the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, which is currently dry-docked at Naval Base Kitsap, Wash., for scheduled maintenance. A CVW includes around 2,000 sailors; Greenert’s decision creates more job security for those positions.
“Effective immediately, deactivation of CVW-14 is disapproved. Restore CVW-14 to an operational status,” the CNO’s memo said.
Greenert’s decision, however, expires in a year unless a new plan takes its place.
The Navy had planned to deactivate a carrier air wing and its squadrons in its fiscal 2012 budget to help meet required cuts in defense spending in last year’s Budget Control Act, cutting the number of carrier air wings from 10 to nine. But Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter later directed the Navy to make funds and manpower available for 10 wings.
Greenert’s memo said the plan was “put on hold by the Office of Legislative Affairs due to congressional sensitivity on pending Navy force structure reductions.”

Absolutely spineless.

Absolutely craven.

No integrity.

No courage.

No guts.  All to please some Congress Critters.