Environmentalist. Why I hate them...

The UK. Time to rethink the "special relationship"..

120421-N-KQ416-554 ARABIAN SEA (April 21, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and the British Royal Fleet Auxiliary replenishment oiler RFA Fort Victoria (A387) transit the Arabian Sea. Abraham Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary S. Welch/Released)

Its time to rethink the "special relationship" between the US and the UK.

My reasoning is that....

*Culturally the two countries are light years apart now.  You would be hard pressed for a UK citizen and a US citizen to agree on anything of substance.
*The UK is moving toward Europe and away from the US.  Why should we stop it or be concerned by it?  The most obvious example is the move by the UK (instigated by them too) to adopt a closer defense alliance with the French.  This is by no means a game changer but it does give an indication of where they see their future.  Its with the French and not the US.
*What good is it to any of the involved parties?  The UK's citizenry (along with the rest of Europe) enjoys bashing the US.  It would probably be of great relief to the British people to see the US go away...most Americans caught up in nonsense wouldn't notice...and why should they?  It won't affect there lives.
*We need to focus on Asia and the special relationship drags us back to the same tired European issues that are helping to stunt our turn to the east.

There are a couple of other points that I could make but you get the gist of this.  We should treat the UK like we treat Germany.  Allied but not exactly friendly.

This nonsense with tech sharing has to stop too.  Its been a one way street and hasn't benefited us.  If you look at BAE's work with the F-35 its been under the banner of their US division.  They've had to create that division in order to comply with US restrictions on the selling of our tech on the open market.

Besides, with the way that the UK's governments been in la-la land concerning which airplane they want to buy I wouldn't be surprised to see them simply walk away.  Even that might not be such a bad thing.  It would probably add a bit of stability to the program if they left.  A few countries might decide to follow but not enough to make a difference.  Its been a US program from the start and if only the US, China, Russia and India along with a few select allies have stealth why is that bad?

Yeah.

This special relationship must evolve.  And by evolve I mean end.

NOTE:  THE PROBLEM ISN'T GREATER EUROPE.  Its the big 3.  The Uk, France and Germany.  With the other nations of Europe, if you look at the size of their militaries then you'll see a large contribution was indeed given to the effort in Afghanistan.  Additionally several of the other countries on that continent appear to simply want an equal partnership.  The big 3 acts as if they're the big brother to America the little one.  From the US bashing that is rampant, to the snarky editiorials to the revisionist history its all stale. 

NH-90 finally getting combat time.

Afghanistan (and later Libya) has been a live testing ground for many weapon systems.  One system missing in action has been the NH-90.  According to the company's website it was placed into service in 2006 but has yet to see action in that conflict.

Here is the latest news.

From the Cassidian website...

From the end of 2012, German Army Aviation will be in charge of providing forward air medical evacuation in Afghanistan using their NH90 helicopters. The FwdAirMedEvac helicopters will provide a solid base for emergency medical care for German soldiers in crisis areas.

And then this from Shepard Media...

 Germany has been operating a handful of CH-53 heavy-lift helicopters in the north of the country since 2002. If Germany Army plans come to fruition, the CH-53s will be joined by NH90s serving in the medevac role, and Tiger attack helicopters.
Plans for the introduction of the two types into theatre were outlined by Brig Gen Reinhard Wolski, the director of German Army Aviation speaking at IQPC's International Military Helicopter conference, held in London from 23-26 January.
The Tiger deployment - which is subject to German government approval - will use Tigers modified to 'Asgard' standard. Eurocopter has taken delivery of the 23rd Tiger which is being updated to 'Asgard F' (F for Full) configuration. The first batch of four Asgard Tigers is due to be delivered back to the Germany Army in August.
Asgard modifications include engine filters for the aircraft to operate in sandy and hot climates, a communication equipment upgrade as well as modifications to the helicopter avionics, and exterior lighting system enhancements for night-time operations. Tiger crews have begun training on 'Asgard T' aircraft (T for training) to pave the way for the Asgard Tiger's introduction.
Wolski said he was confident of getting the NH90s into theatre by the end of the year. The aircraft will be used in the medevac role and will relieve the 'Dustoff' Black Hawks currently provided by the US Army in the region that is controlled by German ISAF troops.

Bill Sweetman loves to talk about how the European Aviation Industry is miles ahead of the US when it comes to rotary winged vehicles.

The NH-90 was suppose to be the war winner that finally knocked the BlackHawk off the stage as the most combat capable medium helicopter on the market.

The Blackhawk still has its crown and the NH-90 is stumbling into battle.  That's not to say that the NH-90 might not develop into an extremely capable weapon system.  But today is not that day.

I will follow the German deployment of their NH-90 with interest...in the meantime the CH-53G will soldier on...

Assault Breacher Vehicle.

Its been a while since we talked about the Assault Breacher Vehicle.  I don't know how well its performed in combat, if its considered an important part of future force structure...nothing.

Any info on it and how the Marines plan on using it is welcome.

Note*
I've seen the reports that the Army is planning (or rather has) buying/building some.  I'm also aware that the Marines are planning on having around 30 or so in the inventory.  What I'd like to know is if this vehicle is going to be part of MEU's.  If they are then how many are deemed necessary etc...

Did these guys just record themselves breaking gun laws?

I'm a strong proponent of the 2nd Amendment but this seems kinda 'iffy' in my mind.  Can you simply saw off the barrel and stock of a shotgun without running afoul of the law?

I'm really not sure.

I know that shotguns with pistol grips and 18 inch barrels are commonly sold.  I also know that you can buy aftermarket parts to pretty much configure your gun anyway you like but like I said...something seems off on this vid.

Having said all that, its a pretty silly thing to do to an old shotgun.  The tacti-cool thing is going too far.  They just ruined a good camp gun...wrapping everything in camo and calling it tactical is a fad that I wish would end.  Like today.

Our Afghan Allies are still trying to kill us.

via Military.com

WASHINGTON - In shootings not previously reported by American authorities, two U.S. soldiers were wounded in an attack by two Afghan police officers, extending a worrying pattern of violent clashes between supposed allies.
The two Americans were shot Wednesday by the Afghans near Kandahar city, and the shooters were quickly killed by U.S. troops, according to a U.S. defense official. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an incident that, by policy, the coalition military command in Kabul considers an internal matter.
Spokesmen for the U.S.-led international military coalition in Afghanistan have said their policy is to publicly report only those incidents of Afghan forces shooting at coalition forces if a coalition member is killed. If coalition troops are wounded but not killed, or if the Afghan shooter fails to hit anyone, the incident is not disclosed.
About two hours after the two U.S. soldiers were wounded, a separate clash occurred in which an Afghan soldier opened fire with a machine gun on a group of U.S. and Afghan special operations soldiers returning to their base after conducting an operation, U.S. officials said.

Seriously?

Say this shit out loud.

Afghans that we're suppose to be training, that we've sacrificed for, that we've rebuilt there sorry ass country are now killing, wounding and taking pot shots at us?

If it was a comedy it wouldn't be funny.  Since this is real its beyond tragic.

Past time to leave that fucked up ass country.  THEY (the Afghan people) are NOT worth it.

PS.
Public Affairs Officers from the Marine Corps, Army, Navy and every alphabet US Agency can have Afghan children posing with Marines, Soldiers, Sailors or Airmen and it won't change a thing.  Humanitarians can cry about the plight of Women once we leave and it won't change a thing.  The Afgahn society is fried.  Millions of dollars and thousands of lives lost can't change that fact.

SNAFU! has a YouTube Channel.

I haven't broadcast it enough so I'll take the lumps for that.  But be advised Warriors!  SNAFU! has a YouTube Channel and maybe you might want to check it out.

NOTE*
Just click on the YouTube button to the right and it'll take you to my channel.

British Apache's at sea.

NAVAIR looked at the possibility of just creating an instant navalized Apache just by designation.

Unfortunately.  It doesn't work that way.

Aviastar has the best information on the web concerning the work necessary to make an Apache into a proper weapon at sea.  Forces like the Brits might be content to pay the price (and they will pay with aircraft having shorter life spans due to sea salt) but pay it they will.  Check out the article at AVIASTAR to get more info on a properly navalized Apache.

Mr. President I'm tired of defending you...SNAFU! Politics.

SNAFU! considers this coming election to be the most important in a COUPLE of generations.  So stand by to be reminded of the painful reality that comes with a left wing party being given power.  Also understand that this goes beyond race, nationality, gender or religious beliefs.  This goes straight to competence.  Also understand that my personal politics are more in the Ron Paul camp than those of the Republicans but reality (yeah that pesky little thing) indicates that I must support the lesser of two evils.  This year that means supporting the Republican cause.

Norway Pre-positioning Program...easy cost savings.

Humvees are stored inside the Frigaard Cave in central Norway. The cave is one of six caves that are part of the Marine Corps Prepositioning Program-Norway, which supports the equipping of Marine Expeditionary Brigade consisting of 15,000 Marines and with supplies for up to 30 days. Photo by Lance Cpl. Marcin Platek

This one should be a no brainer.

Europe doesn't need us there.

We don't have the money to waste there.  Time to pull gear and close up shop.  That goes for all bases on European territory...from Norway all the way to Diego Garcia.  If we're not wanted (and we're not) then bring our troops home.