2. Boxer— Scots Guards (@scots_guards) June 28, 2020
A video produced by Gdsm Hardie to promote this incredible Battalion - and our role in the Strike Brigade.
Gdsm Hardie - 8Plt pic.twitter.com/Estsh7sk2T
Monday, June 29, 2020
Scots Guards + Boxer = Strike Brigade?
The Military We Have Vs. The Military We Need
Note. I ran across this article and thought that I would be reading something so thought provoking that it would have me post it on the blog as an alternative way of thinking and stir debate. That did NOT happen. Instead I'm left wondering how this guy could be teaching at a premier defense university in the USA.
The Military We Have Vs. The Military We Need via Defense One (article here)The end (or toward the end) of the article first. I thought the military we wanted was suppose to be destructive, lethal, blunt and combat oriented! Suffice it to say that this bubba is arguing for something different.
The military we have is heavy, destructive, lethal, blunt, combat-oriented, technology-dominant, general purpose, unilaterally capable, provocative, escalatory, expensive (gluttonously so), and unsustainable. It is basically a hard-power warfighting machine, totally captive of and obsessed with its own warfighting/warfighter verbiage, useful primarily for tacit threatmaking based on ostensibly superior capabilities, and prepared – arguably – only for traditional, conventional war (even though deployed for a variety of missions).
The military we need would be quite the opposite: light, constructive, predominantly nonlethal, precise, noncombat-oriented, manpower-dominant, tailored, multilaterally-capable/-dependent, reassuring, de-escalatory, affordable, and sustainable. It would be a strategically effective force, designed to respond to a robust array of complex, most-frequently-occurring emergencies – peacekeeping, nation-building, humanitarian assistance, disaster response – that ultimately contribute most demonstrably to the overarching normative strategic aim of enduring global peace.Yeah.
I don't get it. I hope I'm wrong but can anyone point to any place on the planet where an external force has been able to successfully engage in nation building, peacekeeping etc...?
I can't think of one place where it's happened. I stand ready to be corrected.
Anyway, read the whole thing and let me know what you think.
My guess is that this is a primer for a position in the new administration and is his bid at showing dramatic new ideas probably with the idea that an appointment can be had if he can justify slashing defense spending dramatically.
One last thing.
The force that he envisions for the US would be more in keeping with the current German model than many of our more powerful allies. This portion should keep the people at the Pentagon up at night.
Should such sweeping, transformative overhaul ever become a reality? Yes – if peace is actually our ultimate aim. Could it take place? Unlikely – given the intellectual shortcomings of the defense establishment in particular, and the national security community in general. These are heretical, heterodox ideas that can take root and be acted upon only as an outgrowth of new thinking that is in inexcusably short supply in government and think tank thought factories. In the final analysis, though, the military will have to take the lead – and want to take the lead – in dramatically reforming itself because politicians have major vested interests, political and economic, in preserving the status quo and in letting the military dictate its own fate. Whether the military has the intellectual wherewithal to measure up to such a challenge is a matter for high hopes, but measured expectations. But if we are to produce a future that is better than the past, we shouldn’t give up on hope.What should keep you up at night?
The knowledge that someone at the Pentagon is reading this article and agreeing with it 100%
Sunday, June 28, 2020
RAFAEL Multi-Missile SPIKE NLOS Launcher Configuration
I was happy to share this vid when I found it but I'm a bit miffed. Some of these manufacturers fail to realize that we want to see the system they've developed, not explosions or the weapon they launch (in this case). Good vid but I wanted a bit more.
Royal Air Force Chinook doing work down low...
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Chinese Navy vs the QUAD countries
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If payloads over platforms is the correct meme....If China is able to develop effective anti-ship missiles that can be launched from small ships...If Chinese Diesel Electric Subs are as effective as their European counterparts...then we have a huge problem in the Pacific.
I guess the first issue is the most important one. Would the Quad countries actually stick together if a fight were declared? Notice that the S. Koreans aren't included? That's a huge red flag in my mind.
Next is the issue we covered first.
How will the USMC's future force structure make up for this deficit and is the juice worth the squeeze if they're able to get on land?
Just looking at this chart, leadership fiddled while the threat turned into a monster.
Did the naval order of battle against the Soviet Union/Warsaw Pact ever look this bad during the height of the Cold War?
Saturday, June 27, 2020
This is clearly BATSHIT crazy...
Can you believe it. 😂 pic.twitter.com/bjgzH9e7nT— COP VIDEOS (@Copvids911) June 27, 2020
Simply amazing but not entirely unexpected.
This is batshit crazy but a sign of things to come. Defund police? I give it till the first of the year and you'll see a hiring call that will shock the system along with increased pay in all localities.
Conventional wisdom today is gonna be seen as "what the fuck were you thinking" tomorrow.
Late Saturday Talk. Summer is pretty much a wash. Is fall gonna be worse?
Just a little Late Saturday Talk. Some have hit on it on the blog. I've seen it said outright in other places.
Summer is looking like a wash. Their will be no traditional summer this year. Which means tourism worldwide is in the toilet. Looks like beaches are gonna take a beating and normal other summertime activities (probably with the exception of barbeques) is underwater too.
So from my seat we can kiss summer goodbye.
Will the fall be better or worse?
What does that even look like? Can you imagine Halloween in the era of the coronavirus? Thanksgiving might scrap by but Christmas and the shopping that props up most businesses is gonna take a SERIOUS and drastic hit.
Oh and this is all before you add in some of the social unrest that is definitely keeping me in an even less than normally anti-social mood than I already am.
Of course this will extend to all facets of our lives. From domestic policy, foreign policy, defense spending, domestic spending...even to employment.
I'm tossing this out to you all.
If you look at everything we're facing could we possibly be on the verge of a freaking depression (and yeah I've said it before, seen the videos on YouTube of the Karens and Kens acting a fool and even one woman saying she doesn't wear a mask for the same reason she doesn't wear panties...cause she gotta breath) because of our response/fear of this disease?
What are the global implications of a great depression? What are the issues that the defense budget will face because of a crashed economy?
Looking into a crystal ball I can't anything but hard times ahead. Am I wrong?
Summer is looking like a wash. Their will be no traditional summer this year. Which means tourism worldwide is in the toilet. Looks like beaches are gonna take a beating and normal other summertime activities (probably with the exception of barbeques) is underwater too.
So from my seat we can kiss summer goodbye.
Will the fall be better or worse?
What does that even look like? Can you imagine Halloween in the era of the coronavirus? Thanksgiving might scrap by but Christmas and the shopping that props up most businesses is gonna take a SERIOUS and drastic hit.
Oh and this is all before you add in some of the social unrest that is definitely keeping me in an even less than normally anti-social mood than I already am.
Of course this will extend to all facets of our lives. From domestic policy, foreign policy, defense spending, domestic spending...even to employment.
I'm tossing this out to you all.
If you look at everything we're facing could we possibly be on the verge of a freaking depression (and yeah I've said it before, seen the videos on YouTube of the Karens and Kens acting a fool and even one woman saying she doesn't wear a mask for the same reason she doesn't wear panties...cause she gotta breath) because of our response/fear of this disease?
What are the global implications of a great depression? What are the issues that the defense budget will face because of a crashed economy?
Looking into a crystal ball I can't anything but hard times ahead. Am I wrong?
Someone is moving a large convoy of SCUD missiles in Libya. What's going on?
a convoy full of long range missiles has left for #Sirte , these may be SCUD-B missiles from Gaddafi's time. #Libya pic.twitter.com/BxjbwBT6g3— Sukhoi Su-57 Felon 🇷🇺🇮🇳 (@I30mki) June 27, 2020
Someone is moving a large convoy of SCUD missiles in Libya. WTF is going on? Either they're moving them to more secure storage, moving them for transport out of the country, moving them to launch sites or moving them to a place where they can be dismantled.
Considering its Libya I'm guessing they're gonna be used.
Things looking grim for the UK's Royal Navy...
Pinstripedline has reviewed the NAO report into Carrier Strike - https://t.co/8PgVOCZJ2e— Sir Humphrey (@pinstripedline) June 27, 2020
Key Findings:
RAF F35 flying hours cut by 20%
A £60m LPH conversion to replace OCEAN cancelled.
The RN does not have enough spares to keep both ships ready for sea at all times. pic.twitter.com/oFS6mwPNBr
Any CBRN Specialist in the house? Question. Does the Ops Core SOTR protect against the coronavirus?
This blog post isn't for everyone so feel free to skip.
Issue. I'm thinking this coronavirus thing will come back in a big way this fall. Due to job we're required to wear masks. Fully expect a mask at all times order from the governor too.
Issue 1. My life goes from dull as hell to what some might call "energetic". Add to it the fact that N95's aren't available. I don't trust the "just put on a scarf recommendation for protection and I want something that can hold up I'm looking for something a bit more substantial.
Issue 2. I've settled on the SOTR. Oh and be advised I'm willing to check out other brands! But what you see above is the best I can get on whether or not it will be effective with regard to the coronavirus.
Question. Does the Ops Core SOTR (or a similar half face respirator) protect against the coronavirus.
Note. I'd rather talk to the CBRN bubbas I have in the audience rather than just go often bro science here. The internet is a mess on this subject and since I'm pretty sure others are on this trail I'd prefer to avoid bad info.
Thanks.
Does it make sense for the US Army to pivot to the Amphibious Assault Mission in the Pacific (thinking 25th ID)?
It pains me to even ask this but the Commandant has laid out his cards and while I don't like his plan I can't help but think that Congress will do as Congress always does.
It'll fall back on the idea of "listening to the Generals".
With that being said I don't think the Marine Corps will be a viable ground combat force going into the future.
From my chair the hardwon gains of WW2 are being tossed away and we're doing the modern day version of climbing the masts to shoot at enemy ships and conduct small (and I do mean small) raids (how you square that mission set with a force of around 150K...which I think we'll soon see as an end strength..is beyond me...it would seem to be far too large a force with such a limited mission).
So with the thought of protecting this great nation what should we do?
If the Marines won't change course (and confidence is NOT HIGH that this group at HQMC will do so) then what do we do?
Fortunately (or unfortunately if you're in my shoes), we can turn to the US Army.
It's really quite obvious.
If the Marine Corps is going to vacate the mission that they pushed to get instituted into law then someone has got to do it. If not us then it's got to be them...the United States Army.
Make the 25th Infantry Division the new Amphibious Assault Force for the United States of America.
If you think about it they have all the tools to conduct an unopposed landing. In the future they can tailor themselves to become more capable in this regard...forcible entry will fall into their wheelhouse.
I'm pretty sure LAVs are going good bye. I'm also quite confident that the Amphibious Combat Vehicle isn't long for service in the USMC (if it actually makes it into service at all).
So what does that give us?
The Army just needs to piggyback off USMC development on the ACV and acquire that vehicle for the 25th ID. Tanks can remain as they are. The CH-47 has already been demonstrated to be quite capable of operating from ship, the V-280 can be adjusted to make the transition and the Apache can be navalized to do the deed too.
Their M-777's are used (were) by the USMC so that's easy, their trucks can also be navalized and let's be honest. For the most part they'll be landing feet dry since we'll have an over abundance of LCACs now.
The real issue will be mindset but that's not gonna be a hurdle. The Army can adopt the mission and put their spin on the thing. Knowing them they'll probably throw in an airborne company or two and claim enhanced capability by the time they're thru.
It sucks but its a necessity considering the moves being made by the Marine Corps.
I'm not happy about it but we're doing it to ourselves.
I don't consider this an "if" but rather a "when" if Berger's plan comes to fruition.
The only real question after that is how long the Marine Corps lasts before bean counters realize that the pigeon hole mission set that the Corps set up (what remains of its mission) can be accomplished by Air Force/Navy Air and specialized Army artillery. No United States Marine Corps needed.
Turkey’s ‘chronic engine problem’ is harming defense projects, warn officials
Turkey’s ‘chronic engine problem’ is harming defense projects, warn officialshttps://t.co/sGojOaIJAG pic.twitter.com/mdtGSwZbFE— Fly High Aeromedia (@FHAeromedia) June 27, 2020
Wow! Some of the criticism I've hear on these pages is apparently true. I'm a bit stunned. Thought Turkey was moving ahead smartly when it comes to engine tech.
Good God! The Royal Marines new uniform looks like the US Army's MultiCam...
Today, we are launching our new combat uniform. The uniform was selected for operational utility. In going back to our Commando roots, we've readopted our WW2 Commando flashes, and for the first time wear the Naval Ensign. @RoyalMarines @RoyalNavy @AdmTonyRadakin @ArmedForcesDay pic.twitter.com/7SvMsDtTBi— Commandant General Royal Marines (@MajGenHolmes) June 27, 2020
The Brits are now our official reserve....UK forms Littoral Response Groups
CGRM tells me two Littoral Response Groups afloat will “pose greater dilemmas to our adversaries”. What dilemmas though for HMT, RN, Integrated Review and future platform plan? | via @telegraph https://t.co/prCwufVPqg— Dom Nicholls (@DomNicholls) June 27, 2020
Not at all impressed with this.
The funny thing? The Brits are designing forces to fall in on the USMC while the USMC should be working overtime with the US Army.
Any action ashore will require Army Brigades (Stryker, Armored or plain Infantry) cause we're relegating ourselves to being a simple raid force....if the USMC's Littoral Force can't get it done solo then what good will augments from the Brits do?
Why maintain Marine Infantry Battalions at all? MARSOC will probably be able to conduct any mission that require a USMC footprint ashore (after all they're the Corps' raid masters...hell we even have a unit called the Maritime Raid Force)!
Additionally why are we still acquiring helos? The US Army can go afloat as they've demonstrated when they did the action in Haiti with the 101st.
Confidence in Berger's plan?
It doesn't exist.
Friday, June 26, 2020
Is India beating the patriotic drums against China?
Boycott those who cross the line!!!#BoycottChineseProduct pic.twitter.com/nDqNfnigv1— 𝓑𝓲𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓪 (@bidishalolo) June 26, 2020
Interesting. If a "boycott China" actually does take off that could have worldwide implications. India alone could probably help develop alternatives to the Chinese market and many would be happy to join that bandwagon. Additionally if it becomes formalized then this could be a game changer.
HASC NDAA Cuts F-35
via Breaking Defense
The House and Senate Armed Services Committees are an impressive $2 billion apart on the F-35, with the HASC hoping to cut upgrades, depots and other support for the controversial Joint Strike Fighter while the SASC seeks to buy more jets.Story here.
UPDATE “The F-35 program is troubled enough as it is,” a House Armed Services Committee aide told reporters this afternoon. It’s premature to pile on more funding for more aircraft, they said, “until the vendor demonstrates they are able to produce F-35s on time.”
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