Are US Marines in the Pacific about to experience exercise overload?

via ABSCBN News.

MANILA - The Philippine Navy is set to do a war exercise with its United States counterpart in October.
The war exercise, the third major military activity this year, is initially scheduled for ten days beginning October 7. The activity, called the PH-US Amphibious Landing Exercise, will involve at least 1,000 troops from each side.
Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Gerard Fabic said the exercise will be held at the training grounds in Zambales, Crow Valley in Tarlac, Marine Base Ternate in Cavite and in the National Capital Region.

"The purpose is to promote interoperability between the Philippine Marine Corps and the US Marine Corps. The focus will be in the areas of warfighting, disaster response and nation building," he said.
The first major exercise, the Balikatan, was done last April in Clark Air Base in Pampanga, Camp O'Donnel and Crow Valley in Tarlac, Subic Bay in Zambales and Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.
The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat), meanwhile, was conducted in June near the Scarborough Shoal in Zambales.

The shoal is being claimed by both the Philippines and China. The United States earlier promised defense capabilities for the Philippines.

Looks like ops tempo isn't going to decrease after the drawdown is completed in Afghanistan.

Quite honestly I'm of mixed opinion...the Chinese need to be put back in their box, but the forces need to be reconstituted.

A bigger concern is that we're seeing the military acting in the role of the State Dept.  Military exercises, memorandums of understanding between forces etc ... are being established throughout the Pacific but we don't see nation to nation work being done.

Mutual defense pacts, donation of material, foreign aid that would require the US manufacture goods to be sent to some of the smaller nations isn't be negotiated.

This will bear watching.

Side Note;  The you notice the words "NATION BUILDING" in the statement.  We're back to that tired old concept.  You would think that we would have learned our lesson.

Militarization is coming from the Feds...happily accepted by the locals.

If you're like me and a bit alarmed at the Militarization of local police departments nationwide, then let me give you a disturbing fact that you're probably already aware of.

The Federal Government is funding it.  And they're doing it nationwide, in almost every town and city...big and small...and the locals are accepting it greedily.

I have a Google Alert setup specifically to let me know of any news on the sale of armored vehicles inside the US.  I've quietly watched this for the past two weeks and its been stunning.  Almost everyday a city counsel, board of alderman etc...are approving the acceptance of Federal Funds for the purchase of "life saving" armored vehicles.  Check this out via the Union Leader....

Concord is poised to accept $258,000 in federal funding to buy an armored vehicle that police say would provide protection for officers and civilians alike during a terrorist attack, riot or shooting incident.But some - notably the New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union - are questioning the increasing use of what they call "militarized" equipment by civilian police forces.
Concord's City Council will hold a public hearing on Aug. 12 about the proposed purchase of a BearCat G3 rescue vehicle, paid for entirely by a grant from the Department of Homeland Security.The police department applied for the grant on behalf of the Central New Hampshire Special Operations Unit, which includes 20 local communities, Merrimack County Sheriff's Office and Plymouth State University. The SOU has an "early 80s-vintage" Peacekeeper armored vehicle, but it needs to be repaired "constantly," Concord Police Chief John Duval said.
Concord's City Council unanimously approved the grant application for a new BearCat last fall, according to Duval. But in the months since, some have raised concerns about just how and when such a vehicle would be used.
Duval said he understands concerns about government overreach, especially in light of recent revelations about government surveillance of telephone and email records. But he said those questions need to be asked "in context."Built on a Ford chassis, the BearCat, Duval said, is "an armor-plated box on wheels."
"That's all it is. It is not digital communication, it's not a listening device, it's not weaponry, it's not any of those things.
"Every year," Duval said, "police officers are lost in the line of duty protecting the rights of citizens. Tactical response units go into known lethal, hostile situations.
"And this vehicle is simply a vehicle to remove people who may be in harm's way, remove injured parties and bring police officers in closer."

A few things.

*  Funded entirely by the Federal Govt.
*  Emphasis is placed on life saving work.
*  Acknowledges govt over reach but ignores the chilling effect that militarization has on local populations

This is a big ticket item.  We don't know whats going on behind the scenes with body armor, weaponry, communication etc...

This is the Local Army that could rival the US military that Obama was talking about.  Standardization of local PD's nationwide is a logical step toward a federal police force.  Note, I said police force, not investigative agency.

For once, I find myself applauding the ACLU.  It seems that only the ACLU and Libertarians are upset about this.  Everyone else is sloganeering about "not having anything to hide"... 

Quote of the day.

The prospect of unlawful behavior within the commandant’s office is of deep concern....Jones asked the IG to be diligent in its review of Weirick’s complaint and do what’s necessary to “restore dignity to the commandant’s office.”
Rep. Walter Jones during an interview with the Marine Corps Times.

Type 52D receives Active Phased Array Radar??? via Chinese Military Review.

If you're not subscribed to Chinese Military Review you're missing out.  I highly recommend them.  They're not big on commentary but they hit hard with news and photos of the latest and greatest coming out of the land of the Rising Dragon.

The blurb they put out this afternoon about the Type 52D receiving an Active Phased Array Radar has me scratching my head though.  via Wikipedia.

APAR (Active Phased Array Radar) is a shipborne multifunction radar (MFR) developed and manufactured by Thales Nederland. It is the first Active Electronically Scanned Array MFR employed on an operational warship.[1]

Yeah.

That's what has me confused.  Did Thales sell the Chinese their radar?  Did China steal it?  Is it a copy?

The issue of cyber security is an issue that has to get much more attention.  If the radar was stolen then the Chinese are practically unstoppable.  Not only do they have manufacturing capability that the West gave away, but they also are technologically within reach of the US and its allies.  It would be like engaging in massive trade with the former USSR while they were arming to the teeth to invade Western Germany.

Its insanity.

So you thought I was the only one pissed off with Amos' leadership?

If you thought that I was alone in viewing Amos as probably the worst Commandant the Marine Corps has had since its creation then let highlight a few of the comments on the story of Amos using illegal command influence to see Marines "crushed" (make sure you read the story...its an eye opener and will show why I believe that he should resign...either willfully or by order of the SecNav).

Sad day when the Political Correctness out-weighs taking care of our own.......someone needs some loyalty training! Someone needs a dope adjustment!

They would never let General Mattis be the CMC...because he is a real Marine and not afraid to speak his mind. He backs up his Marines, and doesn't take crap from anyone. The current CMC is spineless. It's disturbing that he wears the Marine Corps uniform. He sure the hell doesn't rate too!

The current CMC would not be able to stand in the same room as Chesty or any other TRUE Marine Commandants.....

That's what you get when you put an airplane driver in the commandant's chair, the butt muncher never came close to combat from 20,000 feet.

Claims in public the Marine Corps is not zero tolerance and yet behind close doors and in secret like a coward wants to crush these young warriors...smdh! Can stand a spineless coward. I hope you get crushed CMC and fade away into retirement never to be heard from again!

Amos needs to realize that we're warriors, not PC commandos. He doesn't belong as CMC - or even in our Corps. We need a Mattis or an Al Gray.

There isn't one supportive statement on the page for Amos.

He is the most hated Commandant that I've ever seen.  Most have a legacy of sorts and are respected for the office they hold.  It almost borders on reverence.

Amos has none of that.

Any thoughts that he had of a second term as Commandant have evaporated.  Hopefully (as one of the commenters stated) he'll be forced to retire within a few months.  Doubtful, but I can hope.

Martial Law via dafuq-is-wrong-wit-choo tumblr

Note:  The authorities better get a handle on how they're viewed and do it quick.  I'm seeing more and more comparisons on the net between Socialist/Communist/Fascist regimes doing crack downs and US Law Enforcement.  Are they so caught up in their own world (meaning the various agencies) that they can't see how they're viewed?  Or worse.  Do they just not give a damn?

Japan and the Philippines unite in preparation to fight China.

via Gulf News. (read the entire article here.)

The Philippines and Japan are both confronted by the increasing boldness of China, in similarly asserting its claim over several islands close in the South China Sea.

The Philippines had earlier said that it will abide to a peaceful resolution in the territorial dispute had already sought the help of the United Nations which formed a an arbitral tribunal in response. China has yet to make a similar move.

Aquino also took the opportunity to express gratitude to Japan for donating several patrol vessels for the Philippine Coast Guard.

“We thank the Japanese Government for helping enhance the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard by building multi-role response vessels and by providing communication systems for their use,” he said.

A few things....

*  Why we aren't donating gear to the Philippine armed forces is beyond me.  It seems like a no-brainer.  Is China blocking such a move?  I just don't get it.
*  I've been so focused on the various border disputes and how the US is/isn't reacting to them and missed the fact that the nations under pressure will be seeking to establish their own ties with like minded allies.
*  China has already jumped the shark.  Either stuff is so serious inside the country that their rulers believe that outside distractions are necessary, or they've miscalculated.  I think its a diversion.  There is no profit in provoking almost every nation in the Pacific.
*  Japan is gearing up in a hardcore way.  How much more will it take before they decide that they must have nuclear weapons to help with all the bullies in the neighborhood?  I have nothing to go on but it wouldn't surprise me if they had nukes already. 

The Amos issue.

Its been about 12 hours since I first read about Amos using undue command influence with regards to several Marines.

My question is simple.

Why haven't we heard any commentary on the issue?  No, I'm not talking about the mainstream media.  They're always late to real issues with the military and unless it involves women or homosexuals they really don't care.

No.  I'm talking about the thought centers.  US Navy Institute Blog, Proceedings, Sea Power and the Marine Gazette.

Nothing.  Nada.  What is tantalizing is that there is a way that what Amos did do is legal.  Correction, its still illegal and as Commandant, he should have had the courage and integrity to refuse, but if he was ordered by the President that these Marines "would fry" then he'd at least have an explanation...not an excuse (this is inexcusable) but he would at least be able to explain why he committed the act.

I'll wait with baited breath for Monday to arrive and hope that the news shops have caught up to the fact that we have at the very least a low grade scandal in the Commandant's office.

Side Note:  As bad as this is, I'm pleased to hear it.  My biggest fear is was that Obama was going to renominate Amos for another term as Commandant.  This little drama should put a kibosh on those plans.  THANK GOD!

Side Note 1:  This should effectively muzzle the biggest supporter of the F-35 within the Pentagon (notice I said supporter as in individual, not service...Marine Land is angry about quite a few things...the high cost of the F-35 and how its eating the budget is just one of those issues).  I don't know what effect that will have on the program but personal survival, not the survival of an airplane is now his main focus.  This bit of news might have ramifications beyond the Marine Corps.

Royal Marines dump SA-80 in favor of an AR platform!

Simply freaking amazing.  via the Truth about Guns....

“This is my personal preference. I do prefer it over the SA80 solely because in its own complexities, it’s an easier weapon to use. It’s very docile and it’s a lot lighter. It’s also a change because the SA80 can only be fired one way, from the right rather than the left.

Read it all here.

F-35. The Canary in the coal mine that I missed.

In an attempt to determine when we all received solid, concrete information that this program was in a tailspin, I looked up quotes from program officials that would tell us when the alarm bells rang for all to hear.

Let me add that these are the public statements.  Internally alarms should have been ringing possibly years earlier.

I want them both to start behaving like they want to be around for 40 years,” Bogdan told reporters during a visit to Australia. “I want them to take on some of the risk of this program, I want them to invest in cost reductions, I want them to do the things that will build a better relationship. I’m not getting all that love yet.”

“Its an unaffordable program at the numbers that we’re using,” Lieutenant General Terry Robling told Reuters earlier this month. 

What I see Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney doing today is behaving as if they are getting ready to sell me the very last F-35 and the very last engine and are trying to squeeze every  nickel out of that last F-35 and that last engine,” Bogdan said, who was speaking to reporters at the Australian International Airshow.

So yeah.

Those are alarm bells that we were given.  But what about recently?  Check out this carefully parsed statement by Admiral Greenert.

“Speaking for the Navy,” added the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Jonathan Greenert, “I need the fifth-generation fighter, and that [F-35] provides it, so we’re all in — but it has to perform. It has problems; it is making progress.”
“I do not at this point believe that it is time to look for an exit ramp, if you will, for the Navy for the F-35C,” continued Greenert, who in the past has damned the Joint Strike Fighter with similar faint praise.

Yeah.  I missed Admiral Greenert well phrased statement earlier too.

"It has to perform..."

"I do not at this point believe that this is time to look for an exit ramp...."

That sounds like a guy that will bail if the tail hook isn't fixed and costs continue to rise.  But what should concern the planes biggest supporters and why they should be all over ANOTHER RESTRUCTURING of the program is the code issue.

I'm moving toward the cancelation, not the delay camp because I'm beyond frustrated with so much of the budget being tied up in one aviation program.  The pentagon would be wise to do a top to bottom review now...before signing a new production contract to see exactly where the program is and when it will be able to deliver a fully functioning airplane.

UPDATE:
How jacked up is this program and how fouled up is LM and PW?  via Defense News....

“There’s no doubt a large amount of our classified data probably made it into” the designs for the J-20, a Chinese plane modeled on the F-22, and the J-31, a JSF equivalent, according to Lt. Gen. Charles Davis, USAF military deputy for acquisition, who appeared with Bogdan at the hearing.
Both planes were developed in the span of about 22 months, according to Davis, which shows China has achieved a level of acquisition ability that could be potentially dangerous to U.S. interests.
Senators asked the panel, which included Davis, Bogdan and Vice Adm. W. Mark Skinner, whether China has faced any repercussions over the apparent theft of data.
“If they’re going to go ahead and copy what we got, they at least have to pay a little bit for it,” Manchin said. “Has their government been put to the task? It’s very obvious what they have done. ... Have we prosecuted anybody? Are we on the tail of anybody?”
The panel gave noncommittal answers to Manchin’s question, but Bogdan expressed confidence in the Pentagon’s ability to protect key information.
“In the last few years we have implemented some fairly robust procedures to keep F-35 data within the confines of the department,” he said, adding that the partner nations are also doing a good job protecting information.
But, “I am a little less confident about our industry partners, to be quite honest with you,” Bogdan said. “I am not that confident outside the department.”
While he did not elaborate, both Lockheed Martin and Pratt & Whitney insist their cybersecurity is potent enough to protect sensitive information.

So they're late, leak like a sieve and want even more money from the DoD.  It must be understood that servicemen serve the state and contractors serve shareholders.  Don't be confused by the fact that these are "defense" companies.  They're profit driven monsters just like Facebook or Google.