A note from CENTCOM PAO to a blog and no one else is NOT EVEN close to good enough.

Thanks to Spudman for the link!

This is a follow up to an earlier blog post where I noted that the Pentagon had not responded to Russian claims that a F-22 was engaged while it was warning off an airplane striking a target.

Check this out via Aviationist.

There is no truth to this allegation. According to our flight logs for Nov 23, 2017, this alleged incident did not take place, nor has there been any instance where a Coalition aircraft crossed the river without first deconflicting with the Russians via the deconfliction phone line set up for this purpose. Of note, on Nov 23, 2017, there were approximately nine instances where Russian fighter aircraft crossed to the east side of the Euphrates River into Coalition airspace without first using the deconfliction phone. This random and unprofessional activity placed Coalition and Russian aircrew at risk, as well as jeopardizing Coalition ability to support partner ground forces in the area.

Any claims that the Coalition would protect Daesh, or hinder, a strike against Daesh are completely false. We strike them hard wherever they are found. What we can tell you is that we actively deconflict the airspace in Syria with the Russians to ensure the enduring defeat of Daesh in the region. We will continue to work with our SDF partners, just as we will continue to deconflict with the Russians for future Coalition strikes against Daesh targets in Syria.

Story here. 

I don't follow the Aviationist Blog but understand it to be widely read.  That's awesome.

But it doesn't change the facts.

CENTCOM has yet to issue a public denial, their version of events or admitted that it happened.

I went to their website to see what was hot.  The CENTCOM website (here) was filled with the latest happenings but nothing on this incident.  Same with their Twitter or Facebook pages.

The Aviationist plays it straight and doesn't accept the story .... either story at face value. 

I can't say I can do the same.

The Russians wouldn't dare make an accusation like this UNLESS SOMETHING DID HAPPEN!  It might not be as they characterize it but something occurred in the air!

If not then a simple press release stating that would be a helluva lot better than a note from a freaking PAO that's obviously dazed, confused and need to be fucking fired.

Pentagon still hasn't commented on the SU-35 vs F-22 encounter

This blog post isn't for everyone.  This one is for those that are watching events in Syria with an eye toward truth and not propaganda.  Those that can get past nationalism in the search for the truth of events there.

Having said that I still haven't seen any official (or unofficial) Pentagon comment on the SU-35 vs F-22 encounter.

The Russians put out 1 (ONE!) statement and then everything went silent. The Russians haven't said anymore, the Pentagon has neither confirmed or denied the encounter and damn sure haven't put out a counter narrative either.

So what actually happened?

Who was being protected by US airpower?

Why haven't the Russians said more.

It's all very curious.

Raging fires in California. Did NorthCom fail again?

U.S. Army Sgt. Anthony Orduno, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crew chief with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 140th Aviation Regiment, California Army National Guard looks out while flying over the Thomas Fire, Dec. 9, 2017, in Ventura County, California. Orduno and the helicopter crew spent the day dropping water on the fire in coordination with CAL FIRE. By that night, the Thomas Fire had burned 173,000 acres and destroyed more than 500 structures since it started Dec. 4.

I've watched the fires in California with a bit of amazement.  It looks like Dante's inferno on earth.

But what has me puzzled is the response to the disaster.  Not from the first responders but once again from NorthCom.

I said that the CO of that organization looked like she was in over her head with the hurricanes and I get the same impression with these fires.

And that's a shame.

What good is it to have a lavishly equipped military if they are slow to react to disaster in the homeland?  

I don't know if it's State Govts trying to "protect their turf", a lack of aggressiveness when it comes to leaning into problems at home...I really don't know, and don't know if I care.

They must do better.  The Pentagon is all about partnerships?  Then setup a 50 seat disaster relief council or some group that will determine independently of the states when an emergency is beyond their control. 

Whatever the answer is I do know this.  After this fire is put out we're gonna hear all kinds of platitudes about how brave and courageous the first responders were.  I have no doubt that it will all be true.  But I know this too. There will be many people with lost property and homes they can't replace that will be wondering what to do next.  I do know that instead of mobilizing the full power of the US military to assist in whatever way it could they instead continued business as usual.  That my friends is wrong.

NYPD Identifies 27-Year-Old Akayed Ullah, from Bangladesh as attempted NYC Subway Bomber.

 NYPD Identifies 27-Year-Old Akayed Ullah, from Bangladesh as attempted NYC Subway Bomber.
The explosive device apparently went off prematurely and Ullah was rushed to Bellevue Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. He suffered burns to his hands and other lacerations, reported CBS News in New York.
According to Police Commissioner James O’Neill, Ullah had two explosive devices, one of which was “affixed to his body with velcro and zip ties.”

Interesting isn't it.  Wonder why this guy from Bangladesh would want to harm a country that welcomed him with open arms?  Could it be that we live in a dangerous world and that it's incredibly naive not to take steps to protect yourself from danger...both on a personal and national level?

Isn't that the most basic, most important function of govt?

You like outdoor photography? Then check out Trevor Wert's Instagram Page....

Medium Weight Wheeled Forces...the British Army's only hope to remain relevant...

Those of us that care about British forces and British ground forces in particular have been alarmed at some of the cuts that have been bandied about.

It's obvious that the Royal Marines are about to take a hit and the British Army is about to get kicked hard.

So what is the future...what is the British Army's only hope to remain relevant?

First check this out.  via UK Landpower.

At its heart, medium weight doctrine reflects a fundamental shift in doctrinal thinking. First and foremost, it is about having a rapidly deployable expeditionary capability that allows infantry mass to be deployed independently at distance. It recognises that, in future conflicts, getting to the fight is likely to be as challenging as the fight itself.

The second key aspect of medium weight forces is that they are a key enabler of divisional manoeuvre. This means that they provide an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) component; an independent strike or raiding capability; a screening force operating ahead or protecting the flanks of a division; and enabling heavier units to move unimpeded out of contact.

Using medium weight forces effectively is about information manoeuvre. This is moving pre-emptively, somewhat like moving a chess piece defensively, to counter a corresponding enemy threat or movement. Medium weight forces can rapidly to encircle, seize and hold territory. They also allow infantry to dominate ground through aggressive patrolling, mobile ambushes and rapid reinforcement.

The most significant shift in thinking is that medium weight vehicles are not intended to take-on main battle tanks. Ideally, these will be defeated by combat aircraft, attack helicopters, long range ATGMs and precision fires. Medium weight formations will avoid or outmanoeuvre a superior enemy force through the speed and agility of their wheeled vehicles. Connectivity also plays a part in this. When medium weight units are networked into other C4ISR assets, this builds a real-time awareness of enemy dispositions. Allocating dedicated UAV support will provide a timely warning of any enemy forces heading towards it, but also the ability to neutralise enemy armour.

Ok.  Right off the bat let me tell you this.  Check out this blog! You can get to it here. 

Next.  I get it.

This dude hit every buzzword floating around the Pentagon.  But if you take the time to read the entire piece, you'll see that he sells the concept pretty well.  So well that I think we can even jump ahead and say that this is the Brit Army's only hope.

Challengers? 

As much as we might hate it the Brits just can't afford tanks anymore.  I believe those that say that tanks are dead...are dead wrong!  But that conventional thinking seems to be all the rage.

Protection via Airpower?

That is what the author believes will protect the Medium Weight Wheeled Force.  That's HQMC thinking.  I believe he's wrong and I can just look at developments in Russia and China and come to one conclusion.  They aren't seeking air superiority.  They're seeking to DENY US air superiority!  I believe the future battlefield (with nation states involved) will be so deadly for aircraft that they will not even try and wander over it.  I think we'll see the same situation we see in Ukraine.  Airpower will be rendered inert....too valuable to risk over a too dangerous battlefield.  Artillery will be king.

Standardization?

This one will be tricky for the Army.  They've bought a range of vehicles with no rhyme or reason behind it.  It's all been under Urgent Operational Requirements so they've gotten it with little debate.

Now?  Now they have a roadmap laid but will have difficulty getting this dog's breakfast of a procurement system to get the proposal past the House of Commons.

Reality?

I see a plan for the British Army.  They could still be effective in low intensity warfare and have a place in a high intensity fight.  The problem is now money.  Will they be able to get policymakers to dig into pockets to buy another magic vehicle now that they have the Ajax Scout going?  Will they admit to failure in previous plans and move out on this one?

I doubt it.

This generation of leaders just can't admit when they've done it wrong.  They'll continue to muddle thru, and will continue buying vehicles that won't fit with the one concept that they could possible afford that would still leave them a place at the table when it comes to land warfare.

And that my friends is just too bad.

Open Comment Post. Dec 11, 2017

So now we supply our allies with ground troops too? TF 51/5 Marines deploy aboard French Ship Tonnerre...pic by Sgt. Jessica Lucio

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OPERATIONS (Dec. 5, 2017) - Naval Amphibious Force, Task Force 51, 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (TF 51/5) Sailors and Marines participate in unit physical fitness training aboard the French amphibious assault ship LHD Tonnerre (L9014). The French ship, with embarked Marines and Sailors from the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and TF 51/5, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. 

Hmm.  So its not enough that the US Army, Air Force and now Marines have troops in Europe supporting the EU...even though they have a larger population base, larger GDP, spend less on defense than the US and have a higher standard of living.

No.

Now we supply our allies with ground troops.  We take up boat spaces so their guys can relax on the beach?  Or we take up boat spaces so they can cut the size of their own Marines like the Brits are doing?

But it gets better.  Today its ships, tomorrow its gonna be our aircraft filling the deck of a Brit carrier.  Why?  I have no idea.  USMC Air is in shit shape and needs to do an immediate reset.  The SPMAGTF-CR is running our aircraft and people into the ground.  The endless deployments for God knows what reason is doing the same.  And what is the answer?  Leadership is still looking for ways to increase ops tempo instead of trying to preserve the force for the big fight coming. 

Simply amazing.

Side note.  Spare me your idiocy.  This "exercise", cross decking, whatever you want to call it is a feel good exercise with NO benefit to the US.  Ask yourself a simple question.  How does this increase our combat capability?  How does this make us more lethal?  If it doesn't then its time to rethink our drink.  From my seat the only people that benefit are our allies...as usual.

Fox Company Conduct with Mechanized Raid....Pics by Staff Sgt. Dengrier Baez

You keep saying we MUST fight in mega cities? Calculate the costs in tiny Marawi in your planning!

via Star and Stripes.

MARAWI, Philippines — More than six months after Filipino and foreign fighters claiming allegiance to the Islamic State stormed this lakeside city, setting off a monthslong war with U.S.-backed Philippine troops, liberated Marawi lies in ruins and its people seethe.

The heart of the city has been bombed and burned beyond recognition, its domed mosques pierced by mortar fire. Homes stand roofless, blackened. There are armored vehicles on the streets.

Some 200,000 residents are still scattered across the southern Philippine island of Mindanao, living with weary relatives or in displacement camps thick with mud and worry.

Those who have been allowed to return found their homes sacked and looted - safes open, jewelry snatched, appliances gone.

Many are angry at the men who seized their city in a failed bid to establish a caliphate, taking hostages and targeting civilians. They are angry, too, at the forces that fought those men, namely the Philippine army and its backer, the United States.

Beyond earshot of officials and soldiers, people wonder why the army was so quick to pummel their predominantly Muslim city. They are also suspicious of the role played by U.S. Special Forces.

Story here. 

Hate me if you want but I bet body parts I consider valuable that this fight was a test bed for the Army/Marine Corps and specifically the Special Ops bubba's wet dream of fighting in mega cities.

I hope they're properly assessing the costs.

I've talked about the refugee crisis that will develop.  I've talked about how air operations will be inadvisable due to enemy forces firing horizontally at our aircraft as they're inserting personnel.  I've talked about how the terrain favors the defense over the assault.

I could go on but you get the drift.  Fighting in a mega city is a STUPID idea.

While this debate has raged (well not really...there is NO pushback in the military journals) I have yet to hear a plausible explanation of why we should do such a thing.

All I get is "that's where the people are so that's where we have to fight".  What bullshit!  But ignoring the lack of logic, it really seems as if a general got a chance to see Call of Duty Advanced Warfare and wants to make it come true.  There is no strategy other than thinking that a video game points the way to the future.