BREAKING!!! UK SERVICE CHIEFS RECOMMEND CHANGE BACK TO F-35B!!!

MASSIVE HAT TIP TO R. CRICHTON7 (otherwise known as my source in the UK).

via the TIMES.

 David Cameron is due to be presented with what officials believe is an overwhelming case for a change of policy on Britain’s troubled aircraft carrier programme. The Times has learnt that Forces chiefs will unanimously advocate that the Government should abandon plans to buy the conventional carrier version of the American Joint Strike Fighter — the F35C. Instead, a reassessment of the carrier programme will advise…

Just plain.  WOW.

The Brits are confusing me.  This is inexplicable.  Totally surprising.  Semi-insane.

Suffice it to say.  I Don't Get It.

Hmmm. Ok Lockheed. Good one Dew Line.

First.

via the Dew Line.

The United Kingdom's first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II production jet made its inaugural test flight on 13 April. The aircraft, an F-35B short takeoff/vertical-landing (STOVL) model, flew a series of functional flight checks during the sortie. Lockheed's Bill Gigliotti was at the controls during the 45-minute flight.

Second.

This new guy Dave over at that shop is bringing a very different spin to that blog.  It was once solidly in the Bill Sweetman/Bob Cox/APA bash the F-35 at every occassion whether deserved or not.

He doesn't seem to be part of that coalition.  When news on the F-35 is to be reported, he's on it.  Whether its good or bad.

Stann is a BEAST!

Thanks Joe for the heads up!



Oh and for the very few that might not know....check out BrianStann.com

Brian Stann Bio

"All American" Brian Stann was born on September 24, 1980 at Yakota Air Base in Japan before moving to the United States and growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. From an early age Brian played organized football and excelled quickly. He was the leader of Scranton Prep’s football team, setting school records by a quarterback for career passing yards and rushing. His achievements on the field mirrored his academic accomplishments and he was selected with the honor of being accepted to one of the most prestigious scholastic institutions in the country, the United States Naval Academy in 1999.

Naval Academy

While at the Naval Academy, Brian quickly excelled in his new position as linebacker, helping them beat their arch-rival Army in three of his four meeting. He followed up that honor earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, before continuing his service to his country by accepting a commission as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps in 2003.

Iraq

As a football player, Brian took with him the lessons he learned on how to complete a mission with a team, one that quickly came in handy for him in the Corps. He was only with his men for a few months before they deployed to Iraq.
Brian was the 2nd Mobile Assault Platoon leader with Weapons Company when everything started happening during his very first operation. From May 8-14, 2005, he led his men into battle, where their mission was to seize a bridge near Karabilah, Iraq. Three different times, he negotiated four kilometers to maintain their position from enemy attacks. However, on the third time through, the enemy had set up an ambush for the Marines.

Ambush

Although ambushed, Brian called in close-air support and direct fire from tanks while taking on over 30 rocket-propelled grenade attacks, multiple machine guns firing, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonating.
"When we began, it was a big fight, but as the days went on, we began to use more of our assets," Brian explained. "We called in close air support and used tanks and dealt a big blow to the enemy."
Brian was in a 360-degree fight and was setting up casualty evacuation points after they were hit by suicide IEDs. All of this would not have been possible if it were not for the hard work of his men in the sheer face of danger, explained Brian.

Silver Star

"He [Brian] has great strength of character and endurance, which was shown when everything happened over a week and he kept on going," explained Major General Richard Huck, 2nd Marine Division's Commanding General, shortly after presenting Brian with the Silver Star. "It doesn't even capture all that happened.”
Brian stated afterwards, "This award represents my guys. It's an insight to what my men did over there. There were a lot of our guys who received awards from our group when we were out there, not just me. You can forget all the other medals. I just wanted the award that said 42 out of 42 men came home safely," he further explained. "And we all came home, so mission accomplished."

Teressa

And what a homecoming for Brian it was. He married his college sweetheart, Teressa, who he met while back home visiting his family in Scranton. Teressa is a graduate of Mary wood University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Human Services and a former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader.

Mixed Martial Arts

During Brian’s next tour in Iraq, he called a fight promoter and clamored for a shot at the mixed-martial arts world. The promoter took a chance on him and Brian did not disappoint earning a first round knockout in his very first fight. Another promoter took notice and quickly signed him to a deal with World Extreme Cagefighting. During his first fight under their banner, he earned another first round knockout, this time in just 16 seconds, the fastest knockout in WEC history. He has since remained undefeated by defeating another previously undefeated opponent via another first round knockout!
Brian continues to serve on active duty as a United States Marine Corps Officer at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. However, he still finds time to train every day and is quickly being recognized as the future of MMA in the light heavyweight division. Expect Brian to continue making his mark on this sport.

Elements of Power Blog hits it out of the park again!

via Elements of Power Blogspot.

The B-52 is a beautiful over-engineered-by-slide-rule beast first flown on April 15, 1952 that has now flown for 60 years. The newest airframe is now over 50 years old. The 50+ operational life of the B-52 began with it being a high altitude penetrating bomber, painfully transitioning to a low altitude penetrating bomber, and then finally to its current primary role as a standoff weapons launch platform.

The Value of History: Perspective

Novices in mathematics, science, or engineering are forever demanding infallible, universal, mechanical methods for solving problems. -J. R. Pierce

It has been written that “What If?” is historian’s “favorite secret question”. Would the B-52 have become the venerable icon of airpower that it is ‘then’, if American communications and norms had been different?
What if’ 1946-1952 was anything like 2006-2012?

And then he goes on to ABSOLUTELY NAIL the critics of the F-35 (and other modern day program) up against the wall like a cheap suit that seen better days (and the critics of the F-35 have seen better days).

I won't spoil it.  Go to his site to read the goodness.

Long story short.  

The critics are all frauds.  Each and every one of them.  They're either tryng to impress their friends or they're lying thru there teeth or both.

Fuck'em.

1th MEU operations ashore

Photo by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 perform a breaching demonstration as part of a joint training exercise with Omani soldiers here April 7. The landing team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Marines assigned to Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct ambush technique training here April 7. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

The following photos are by Cpl. Gene A. Ainsworth III

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Chad J. Cigelske loads ammunition before participating in live-fire exercise here April 6. Cigelske serves with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. William R. Jones pours water on the ground to decrease the risk of electrical shock here April 6. Jones serves with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit's command element. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Marine Sgt. Pedro Jacobo rehearses tactical movements before participating in a live-fire exercise here April 6. Jacobo serves with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Marines serving with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, rehearse fire team movements prior to a live-fire exercise here April 6. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

U.S. Marines serving with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit rehearse fire team movements prior to a live-fire exercise here April 6. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Which SEAL shaved Webb's pubes????

Quote from the Mirror regarding a Review of Brandon Webb's new book.

Mr Webb also revealed the extreme hazing ritual forced on him after his colleagues discovered that he had lied to them about secretly marrying.
His hands were duct taped into a ‘lobster claw’ and his eyes were taped shut while he was force fed tequila.
He then had alligator clips attached to his nipples and was shocked using a handheld generator.
Mr Webb wrote: “You can squeeze it in rapid succession and then it lets loose a charge, only in this case the wires were hooked up with alligator clips to my nipples.
“I don’t know how many volts go through that thing but when the charge hits you, you lose all control, and that was exactly what I did.”

Mr Webb was then subjected to a final insulting ordeal which involved Tabasco being poured over his private parts and his pubic hair shaved off and glued to his face.

I just want to know which US NAVY SEAL shaved Webb's pubic hair and then glued them to his face.

The comments section is entertaining though.

Check this out....first we have one of his "ladies" chiming in to help him out....

Kathy Sato

12:38 AM on 15/4/2012

Any USN SEAL is the antithesis of a sniveler - the training in BUD/S is hard to imagine and everyone says what happens after and operationally is worse. Brandon, what kind of generator did they use, a modern or old one. The old hand cranked magnetos can produce up to 120 volts and up to 5 amps when cranked fast! That is far beyond the current which can produce ventricular fibrillation (about 120ma)! Being an old electronics experimenter, I've had some accidents with that kind of voltage and current and I must have ended up looking like Daffy Duck after getting his beak blown backwards by Elmer - and it wasn't on any sensitive parts (except for one accident I'll tell Brandon offline) and only for a moment. Ouch.

I would so love to be a fly on the wall for that offline conversation...but then we have a guy who's seeing this for what it is....

Edward Stephen Burgess

9:06 PM on 13/4/2012

Glad he made it and thanks for his contributions, BUT..... This brief article sounds a lot like sniveling.....

Edward is trying to be polite.  He says sniveling, I say Bullshit....but wait...there is more!  We finally have Webb chiming in....

fb_1043144463_fb

2:50 AM on 14/4/2012

No sniveling here. It's cut out of context. Read the book and then pass judgement. -Brandon

Well I haven't read the book.  I keep debating whether I really want to help his sales by buying it.  I keep coming out on the side of hell no....

Which leaves only one thing.

Brandon Webb needs to come out on his website and explain this nonsense.  Its making him and the US NAVY SEALs look bad.

Very bad.

Supporting SOCOM, not the USN/USMC team.

via SLD.

On 24 January 2012, the Military Sealift Command posted a bid request to retrofit the USS Ponce to make it a “mothership” for helos and smaller high-speed boats.  By mid-April 2012, the Ponce was being prepared for its new role.
If anything was needed to demonstrate the ability of the MSC to contract effectively and to support the USN-USMC team’s global mission, this performance certainly was it. The mother ship will perform a “lilypad” role for the MH-53 helicopters in a mine-clearance role, as well as for other assets.
In a comprehensive interview with Second Line of Defense on April 13, 2012, Rear Admiral Mark Buzby, Commander of the MSC, underscored the performance of MSC to meet the USN-USMC needs. The full interview will be published soon on Second Line of Defense.
Admiral Harvey, Commander Fleet Forces Command, asked Admiral Buzby: “Can your mariners operate the Ponce as an afloat operating base?”
And Admiral Buzby commented: “Although we don’t have a forward operating base in MSC, operating a steam ship which has a flight deck, which has a well deck we can operate that.  And under the authorities which I have in MSC, I can refurbish the ship as well.  I can do that very quickly for you.  I can give you high value for the dollar.  I can deliver that capability quickly. And my mariners along with USN personnel can execute the mission.  I can probably give you that capability faster than anyone else.

Besides the usual bravado that accompanies any interview given by a Flag Officer these days, the article is wrong on another level.

This entire effort isn't to support USN/USMC operations.

This effort is to support SOCOM.

SOCOM alone.

As usual, the Admiral in charge of SOCOM spouts off a bit much (something thats seen throughout the SEAL community...check out Webb's new book...) and somehow he has in essence captured for his services use a retired LPD and seems to be getting ready to rope in a couple of MH-53's to boot.

Left unsaid is the fact that the USN is already rushing mine sweeping assets to the Middle East.  Which means that the cover story about this ship acting as a mine sweeping base is pure bull shit.

Its going to be a SOCOM mothership.

The MH-53's will be used to establish Forward Rearming and Refueling Points.  The SOCOM Admiral is even putting forth a battle plan that would keep conventional units in Afghanistan to SUPPORT SOCOM while his units attack terrorist holdouts.

Let that sink in.

A Division plus of Special Operations Personnel still need the support of conventional units.

The arrogance makes me sick!

Cut these bubbas loose and let them operate on their own.  That includes the "Maritime Raid Force"....a Battalion Landing Team is part of every MEU.  If all they're good for is holding the perimeter while the "Raid Force" does its thing then let them spend time with the family instead of deploying.

Its all BULLSHIT.

Reconnaissance Marines perform craft operations

Photos by Sgt. Elyssa Quesada

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 move an inflatable boat aboard USS Makin Island here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marine Capt. Brendan Mahoney checks a piece of equipment aboard USS Makin Island before conducting a shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. Mahoney serves as a platoon commander with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 mount inflatable boats aboard USS Makin Island before conducting a shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 push off USS Makin Island's stern gate in inflatable boats before conducting a shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 float away in an inflatable boat from USS Makin Island's stern gate to conduct shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 float away in an inflatable boat from USS Makin Island's stern gate to conduct shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1 prepare inflatable boats aboard USS Makin Island here April 4 before conducting shoreline reconnaissance. The team serves as the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marine Sgt. Tommy Gill prepares equipment aboard USS Makin Island here April 4 before conducting shoreline reconnaissance. Gill serves as a team leader with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Reconnaissance Marine Capt. Brendan Mahoney briefs his Marines aboard USS Makin Island before conducting a shoreline reconnaissance here April 4. Mahoney serves as a platoon commander with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element for the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The unit is deployed as part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, a U.S. Central Command theater reserve force. The group is providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Are we witnessing Afghanistan's Tet Offensive?

via SkyNews.

There has been a series of attacks across the Afghan capital Kabul, with insurgents targeting Western embassies and the parliament building.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the co-ordinated strikes - adding that a group of armed suicide bombers had launched attacks on Nato's headquarters, the parliament and a number of diplomatic residences.
"These attacks are the beginning of the spring offensive and we had planned them for months," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid was quoted as saying.
Several explosions rocked the US, British and German embassies and a Nato military base.
One report said a rocket-propelled grenade had hit the residence of the British diplomat in Kabul.
The Foreign Office confirmed in a statement: "There is an ongoing incident in the diplomatic area of Kabul. We are in close contact with embassy staff."
A spokesman for the US embassy said it was in lockdown, but staff there were safe.
A US defence official, who did not want to be named, said the attackers were using mostly small arms and rocket-propelled grenades, and "perhaps even suicide bombers".
Afghan security forces, who are responsible for the safety of the capital, have been scrambling to reinforce areas around the diplomatic enclave of the city centre.

Read the whole thing but I wonder...

A series of coordinated attacks all across the city?

Announcements from both NATO and the Afghan government that the Afghans are ready to take control of their own security?

Years of warfare and the American public finally saying enough is enough?

If you're a student of American Military History this is really looking similar to stuff seen in the history books....as a matter of fact all we're missing is attacks in the countryside to tie this all together.

Historians will one day mark the end of this war as beginning when we went from a pure anti-terrorist mindset and shuffled ourselves into a nation building project.

And that's the shame of this whole thing.

I bleed red, white and blue but common sense tells me that this is now a civil war.  Only that nations people can decide who the winner or loser is.  Only they can decide if women are going to be given equal rights.

All we're doing now is wasting time, money and lives.

Its time to go. 

Sidenote:  If you don't think that this was beyond coordinated then check out this story.  384 prisoners were freed from a Pakistani prison after a 4 hour gunbattle in which ---- wait for it-----4 guards were "injured"----after a 4 hour gunbattle i'm expecting to see at least a few bodies on the floor, but not in this case.  This is another example of an inside job in my opinion.  This war is over.  We didn't lose it.  The diplomats/State Dept/NGO's lost it.

The UK debate: Which one, Harrier or Tornado?

The debate between the Harrier and Tornado....and which one would have proved more useful to the UK nation still rages.

You might ask why....it would be a good question and the answer is credibility.  Senior Military Leadership along with a willing aviation media went along with the lie that the Tornado was more effective.  We all know that to NOT be the case.

Your next question is why continue the debate since the UK sold its Harriers to the US.  The answer again is that since Senior Military Leadership and the aviation media both participated in the lie that the Tornado was more effective, its important to take a good look at the issue with an eye toward future procurement.

Unfortunately service politics, media muscle flexing and a few deranged individuals all have conspired to weaken UK's defense posture.

Arrogance run amok is a site to behold.

Fortunately, Grand Logistics cuts thru the noise and gives nothing but the "facts" in his latest blog piece.  Check him out here.