F-35 News. Is the USMC walking back the IOC date?

via National Defense.

Marine officials recently have somewhat softened their stance on a July IOC, suggesting that it is not a hard deadline.

“We won't declare IOC unless we meet all of our targets,” Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, deputy commandant of the Marine Corps for aviation told the Senate Armed Services Committee March 25.

The F-35B with the current software provides “tremendous capability that we don't have today,” Davis insisted. “I have no fusion in the airplanes I operate today.” The pilots who fly it today “love the F-35B and they wouldn't go back to their original platforms.”
On the software, Davis said he would withhold judgment for now. If the squadron is not ready to declare IOC, he said, the Marine Corps will respect that. “The decision to declare IOC will be event-based and conditions-based, based on us achieving what we have to do to deliver a combat capability to our Marines,” he said. “If conditions are met, I will make a recommendation to [Commandant] General Dunford that we declare our IOC.”

You're getting tired of me saying this, but I seriously wonder why these reporters (and Sandra Erwin is good) keep missing the highlights of the news that's been given to them.

The USMC is giving itself room to back off the IOC date that was once seemingly written in blood.  

While I still believe that the Marine Corps' rush to get this plane into service has to do with the procurement trainwreck and attempting to clear the tracks so that they can get on to the rest of the portfolio, I can't help but feel that those plans are doomed.

BMD-4M vs. Kurganets-25 size comparison pic...

Thanks to Dragon for the link!

Wow.  The Kurganets-25 is substantially larger than the BMD.  I can't wait to get a better look at this vehicle!

Heavy BMP T-15 "Armata" Vid...The Russians are totally redesigning their armored force!

Thanks to Dragon for the link!



These new tanks are a TOTAL departure from what we've seen in the past from the Russians.  We're seeing a total redesign of their armored force/concepts.

2nd Cav Dragoon Ride takes a nasty turn. Civilian vehicle struck.

I would love to read the report on this incident.

Up and at them!....Photos by Sgt. Devin Nichols

Paintball instead of sim rounds?

US and 16 Medical Regiment Medics have been developing and honing 3 PARA soldiers’ casualty drills while under fire from simulated attacks with paint balls. Photographer: Corporal Andy Reddy; Crown copyright

Paintball instead of sim rounds?

I thought the military had moved away from paintball for realistic training.  Is this a Brit thing or is it part of how the "All Americans" do things?

2nd CAV Dragoon Ride. "New" Europe loves us...which is why we love them back....

Note:  From what I've seen the response to the US Army's 2nd Cav has been nothing short of fantastic.  The Dragon Ride is a stunning success.  New Europe loves us,and that matters.  Its so much easier to help those...work with those that want us there instead of dealing with protests, idiotic governors etc...

Politically incorrect question about the German Air pilots. Updated!

Question.

Why haven't we heard the names or seen pics of the German Air pilots?  We've seen pics and names of the victims but nothing about the pilots.

Why?

I'm seriously curious about this.

UPDATE:  More info has come out and I won't go over it.  Lets be actual and factual.  If this guy is a Muslim convert and IF this is a terrorist attack from a person that self radicalized then the world will be forever changed.  You will see govt spying on its citizens in Europe go to new heights.  We'll know soon enough but it bears watching.

The terrorists are winning. The regional war in the Middle East has begun.

via CNN

(CNN)With the support of nine mostly Arab countries, Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes in neighboring Yemen on Thursday, where for months Houthi rebels have intensified their violent campaign against the government.
The Saudis have pledged to use 100 war planes and contribute 150,000 soldiers to the newly formed coalition, the Saudi TV network Al Arabiya said.
The Houthis, ever defiant, responded by saying they will meet force with force.

Now check out this map below....

Lets do a rundown of all the nations where we've seen trouble...are currently engaged in fighting...or being menaced by terrorist groups.

  *  Iraq.  Obvious.  We don't need to dig down.  *  Syria.  You know the story.  *  Yemen.  You know the story.  *  Somalia.  You know the story.  *  Afghanistan.  You know the story.  *  Pakistan.  You know the story.  *  Libya.  You know the story.
*  Egypt.  If you've forgotten the story then google it.  The Muslim Brotherhood pulled off a coup which we supported, the long time leader was toppled and its been shaky as hell ever since.  *  Lebanon.  They've been on the brink for years.  The current crisis is just making the situation worse.
*  Jordan.  They're in danger of toppling.  Too many refugees, too many terrorists, too weak a central govt that is based on tribes.

Now look at the map again.

That's almost every country except Israel and by rights they should be included because of the ongoing situation with the Palestinians.  I didn't include them because they have a stable government.

The terrorists have accomplished their goal.  The region is ablaze and I see no way to put out the flames.  I have to admit that I have grudging respect for them.  They're living in fucking caves and running rings around our Ivy League educated intelligentsia in Washington.

Additionally SOCOM has been totally unable to put these beasts back in their cages.

We're looking at a failure of our military, intelligence, diplomatic and political class on a scale not seen since the beginning of WW2.

USAF Quote of the year...

Major Hat Tip to ELP Blog...

“I can’t wait to be relieved of the burdens of close air support,” Major General James Post, the Vice Commander of Air Combat Command (ACC)

"Nuff said.  We've been telling you that the F-35 isn't about close air support...even for the Marine Corps...its all about deep strike.

Sidenote:  If you have any connection with ground forces then you should be alarmed.  The F-35 global complex...the idea that says the training, maintenance, operating philosophy etc...will all be the same is starting to bear some bitter fruit.  If the Vice Commander of Air Combat Command is saying this then you can bet serious money that this thinking is being shared through all US services and allied air forces.