Everyone is so focused on peer vs peer conflict that we forget that we were in a cold war for decades and never fought the USSR straight up...only thru proxies

The A-10 is a victim of universal stupidity sponsored by the "smartest guys in the room".

WTF do I mean?

People don't remember history, not even our military professionals it seems. Does no one remember the cold war?  Does no one remember that we were involved in that "war" for decades and never crossed swords with the USSR?

Fast forward to today.

The big bad is China (I don't dispute that) and the Marine Corps in particular but the entire DOD (can't go with the rebranding to Dept Of War....why does everything have to get relabeled) is twisting itself into a pretzel over that potential fight (the weird thing is that I'm getting the impression that some WANT that fight).

Meanwhile we have the shit in Iran and before that the deal in Venezuela and the next one will probably be another spot we're not expecting (Iran popped up overnight and so will the next).

So what does this tell me?

Just like with the USSR get ready for the big fight.  But understand that the "little" fights will be more likely and gear up appropriately.

Which brings me back to the A-10.  Perfect for what we're doing and will probably be doing into the near future.  UPGRADE THE TOUGH FUCKER!  Don't retire it!
 

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by adriane (@adriane9566)

Are we seeing a coordinated effort to raise fuel prices? Ukraine attacks Russian refineries...

 Thanks to Dov Sar for the link!

via Reuters

At least 40% of Russia's oil export capacity is at a halt following Ukrainian drone attacks, a disputed ​attack on a major pipeline and the seizure of tankers, according to Reuters calculations based ‌on market data.

The shutdown is the most severe oil supply disruption in the modern history of Russia, the world's second largest oil exporter, and has hit Moscow just as oil prices exceeded $100 a barrel due to the Iran war.

Here 

Weird.

Oil prices are under strain and are trying to leap thru the roof.  Meanwhile Ukraine takes this moment in time to hurt the consumers of their allies by putting a stranglehold on what is available by attacking Russian oil production?

They're not even hitting us Americans the worst though.

They're hitting their own cheerleaders in the EU the most.

I read reports that the EU countries were considering buying Russian oil to help their citizens weather the storm.  Hell some are already proposing subsidizes to help people in their homes.

So why now?  

So many targets to hit why hit oil facilities?

82nd to the Middle East. Don't know if this is to seize land or to back up a raid from hell to take the enriched uranium.

The 82nd enters the picture. Are they gonna act as part of a SOCOM raid to seize the enriched uranium? I kinda think so. The entire Ranger Regiment backing up Delta won't be enough. God knows the Iranians are watching every news report and have reinforced the site(s). Seize land? If its just islands I think the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (-) composed of the MEUs should be able to handle that. Just don't know. What ya'll thinking.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @notinregz

Open Comment Post. 25 Mar 26

The perfect bleed out spot...

Possibly the best bench in the entire world pic.twitter.com/uq8Xj4S986

— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) March 25, 2026

Wonderful view to go out on...

Wasn't expecting this. Saudi Arabia wants the war against Iran to continue?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by adriane (@adriane9566)

How come everytime there is an oil shock a refinery burns?

This is getting obvious and crazy. Every. Fucking. Time.

VALERO PORT ARTHUR REFINERY EXPLOSION REPORTED: 12NEWS

One of the largest refineries in the US https://t.co/0dHu6BaKq8

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) March 24, 2026

The 31st MEU must have been moving at flank speed. They're due to arrive in region on Friday

That was fast. Something tells me the listed top speed of 20 knots for amphibs might have been a "deception". One other thing. MEU's are composed of 3 ships. Where is the LSD? They're old. Wonder if it was too slow to keep up?

🇺🇲🇮🇷BREAKING | According WSJ The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, the amphibious landing dock USS New Orleans, and roughly 2,200 Marines from the 31st MEU will arrive in the Middle East on Friday.

See the latest updates with us: @visionergeo pic.twitter.com/iRmOgragix

— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 23, 2026

We've heard of soldiers and even diplomats fleeing. Now the commander of their Aerospace Force

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by adriane (@adriane9566)

Kharg Island is the target? How many Burkes and fighters to protect our ground forces?

🇺🇸🇮🇱 BREAKING | According to i24News, in recent days, high-ranking US officials have informed their Israeli and other country counterparts that, most likely, there will be no other option and the United States will have to launch a ground operation to seize Iran's Kharg Island.… pic.twitter.com/8Yp0o5OBz8

— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 22, 2026

We take the island then its game over. But I don't think it will be "easy". That doesn't mean impossible or even theoretically difficult. By not being easy I think that we will inevitably see Marines die. I wonder what the estimated cost of an amphibious assault is to the Pentagon.

US Air Power is rolling back Iranian anti-ship/air sites. Amphibious Assault preps have started.

My guess is that we're gonna see a full MEB (the two MEUs) hit deck on some island in the straits. This looks like pre-assault preps. Additional guess? I'm betting that we see another Marine battalion air lifted into a forward staging base to reinforce the assault once it starts. The only thing that has me wondering is what role the 82nd will play. Are they gonna seize an island too or are they gonna act as "region QRF". I read reports that Delta was primed to take the enriched uranium but that was called off at the last minute (God please save SOCOM from itself....they want a raid from hell so bad it seems) I have to wonder if that's back on the menu. That kinda leaves me wondering what the Israelis are gonna do. I don't see them sitting on the sidelines when boots go on the ground. Supposedly their naval commandos are top notch and I can see them getting into this in a big way.

🚨 Reports coming in NOW on extensive attacks on the COAST of Iran 🇮🇷 — in Bandar Abbas, BUSHEHR, Bandar Lengeh, and Qeshm Island. It is apparently US 🇺🇸 attacks to soften Iran's defense systems ALONG the Strait of Hormuz. This appears tied to efforts to degrade Iran's NAVAL,… pic.twitter.com/Fq7oh8WSBn

— Inside_Israel_Intel (@inside_IL_intel) March 22, 2026

Army reddit just told me about a new drug

Can't keep ahead of the illegal chemists in this world. Another addictive substance? Fuck me...

 

The drug plaguing soldiers
by u/Ltcolonel-glokta in army

Anyone have the real story on the F-35 getting hit?

 Many have talked about it but I just don't get it.

The F-35 got hit from the ground.  Some are saying ground fire, some are saying a heat seeking missile, no one seems to know for sure.

Gotta alot of people on this blog that are still cued in.

What was it?

I imagine if it was a golden bb then that's all pilot error (I mean the F-35 is supposed to shit different from an A-10 right?).  But even a heat seeking missile is kinda concerning cause we're supposed to have countermeasures against threat missiles right?

USS Tripoli Conducts Flight Operations with CH-53 Super Stallion

The UK's nuclear sub crews are high as fuck!

🚨EXCLUSIVE🚨
175 sailors from Britain’s nuclear submarine fleet have failed drug tests, including 52 assigned to boats actively at sea. Almost all of those caught have been fired. Full story: https://t.co/sCHj2JzuQh

— Tom Cotterill (@TomCotterillX) March 21, 2026

Fired? I doubt it. Maybe left on the dock till they finish rehab but they're in a manpower crunch. They'll try and rehabilitate as many as they can.

Open Comment Post. 21 Mar 26

 

This war is disturbing to me. But to hear this from General Mattis makes me pause.

Still have misgivings about this Iran war thing. Still want us to win and win big. Proud of the Marines headed into harms way and stoked about the performance of the Aviators in our Air Forces (Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force plus others flying our flag) and in awe of our Soldiers lobbing missiles across the straits. 

 Having said all that hearing Mattis say this gives me pause. I'm not in the "Saint" Mattis camp. To me he's just another 4 star bumping his lips. He's as political as the rest (you reach that rank, it comes with the job) and I don't know if politics is tainting his view. But at the same time I can't ignore his EXPERIENCE. He is no deity but he has been there and done that.

 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Firing Line (@firinglineshow)

China's new attack helicopter is....interesting

Apparently we've got the clearest image of the Z-21, China's new heavy attack helicopter so far.
However, besides some details that are now finally clearly recognisable, such as sensors, cockpit, rotor, & the engine nacelles including exhausts, some details also appear strange... pic.twitter.com/CG5FoTDr2d

— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) March 20, 2026

The US Army's Infantry Squad Vehicle is turning back into a regular pickup truck

 

The Infantry Squad Vehicle is about to level up.

Check out this prototype of the Next Generation Tactical Vehicle that the 4th Infantry Division used for exercise Ivy Sting IV. This vehicle seats up to six Soldiers and provides onboard power capabilities to support the… pic.twitter.com/8fCFS5qw75

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) March 20, 2026

Light Infantry in the form of the 82nd & 2 MEUs are the planned ground force for action in Iran???

🇺🇲🇮🇷BREAKING | According to CBS News, Pentagon officials have developed detailed plans for the possible deployment of U.S. ground forces in Iran — in preparation for this option, high-ranking military commanders have already presented specific requests to the leadership in case… pic.twitter.com/43tfSiwaxR

— Visioner (@visionergeo) March 20, 2026

Geez. Talk about going light!

This is light as hell.

I know the 82nd is trying to heavy up a bit but still.  The MEUs have no real armor...the ACV is probably one of the lightest armored APC/IFV in the world (of the modern vehicles) and both forces will be using JLTVs as their primary rides (GOD SAVE US if they want to use those militarized polaris!).

10K troops is not many soldiers/Marines to put on the ground.  Lets hope airpower can keep them safe and/or that they're limited to seizing islands.