Kitsune 2015 via Navy Recognition.

Here.

Interesting.  I'm seeing a few European countries that seem to also be "pivoting" to the Pacific region.  The UK, France and the Netherlands seem to be at the top of that list....Italy and Spain have "traditionally" been interested in the region but I'm betting they have enough on their plate dealing with issues in the Med (illegal immigration is going to hit critical mass in Southern Europe...we're on the verge of concerted military action by the entire EU to stop it)...

This is going to get interesting.

Sidenote:  On the China issue a reader made the comment, one that I've heard before, that they're simply imposing a version of the Monroe doctrine in the 1st and 2nd Island Chain.  Amazing.  The Chinese have blown a moon size hole in the original and are playing in S. America like its cool.

China is inside our OODA Loop...

via Navy Matters.

Defense News website reports on remarks by Defense Secretary Ashton Carter regarding China’s expansionist policies. (1)
"China is out of step with both the international rules and norms that underscore the Asia-Pacific's security architecture, and the regional consensus that favors diplomacy and opposes coercion."
China is clearly setting the tone in the South and East China Seas.
It is very important to understand and recognize that statement. Let’s say it again.
China is clearly setting the tone in the South and East China Seas.
That means that it is not China that is out of step – China is establishing the “step”. It is the US that is out of step with China. It is up to us and, indeed, in our best interest to recognize China’s “step” and get ourselves in synch with them.

Here.

I was reading Navy Matters and it hit me.  China is DEEP INSIDE our OODA Loop.  The US military thought that "partnerships" and "teaming" would be successful in dealing with China and sought to bring them into the international order as an ally (ironically this same approach would have been successful with the Russians) but China had other ideas.

We hoped for friendship and at the very least partnership.

They want domination.

To make matters worse we did not properly plan for the failure of our outreach and now we're in the pathetic position of reacting to their moves.

Grunt talk?

They've taken the initiative.

The bad news?  In order to regain the initiative you either assault their positions forcefully or you conduct an organized retrograde to a location that is suitable for you to conduct further ops (speaking metaphorically here...I'm not advocating assaulting any Chinese position...or island).

Policy makers have a decision to make now.

From my seat we're on the verge of losing the fight (without fighting) for the first island chain.  The Chinese are moving rapidly to establish favorable conditions to keep us out of the second.

Do we rapidly arm and position Marines, Soldiers, aircraft, ships and installations to keep the 2nd chain safe...or do we also concede it?

NOTE:  I again refer to Captain Fanell and his warning back in 2013 which was published in the USNI News Blog...

“By the way, protection of maritime rights is a Chinese euphemism for coerce seizure of coastal rights of China’s neighbors,” Fanell said.
“The next week (the week after the combat drill in the south Philippine Sea) in the East China Sea, Japan said that a Chinese warship locked its fire-controlled radar onto a Japanese warship. China denied it for a month, but then admitted that it occurred, but said that it was not in danger since the range between the two ships was too close for a weapons system,” he said.
“Seriously, you just can’t make this stuff up.”

And then this....

Fanell noted the nation has allocated $1.6 million on improvements to disputed South China Sea outposts. Developing ports, air fields, water purification and surveillance systems. “Meanwhile, China describes efforts by other nations to improve the navigability of their outposts as egregious provocations and responded with threats.”
Fanell’s assessment of the Chinese lies seemingly in contrast to American efforts to forge close military-to-military ties with the country.

You can read the entire article here.

Fanell was speaking in 2013.  His predictions are so spot on that his nickname should be Nostradamus.  If he isn't working as a govt contractor advising the US Navy, CIA or State Dept on China then the leadership is as insane as I thought.

Russian SU-24's and a Burke Destroyer are playing reindeer games in the Black Sea.

via Sputnik News.

Russian Navy jets forced a US Navy ship into the eastern Black Sea after it was noticed heading into Russia's territorial waters.
Russian Navy Su-24 jets forced US Navy destroyer USS Ross to go into neutral waters in the Black Sea, a source in Crimea's security forces told RIA Novosti.
The US Navy ship was noticed heading directly toward Russian waters after leaving the Romanian port of Costanta. The incident comes on the same day as fugitive Georgian ex-leader Mikheil Saakashvili's appointment as governor of Ukraine's Black Sea-bordering Odessa region.

The US Navy better get its messaging together when it comes to these incidents.

I seriously doubt that a SU-24 could shut down the electronics on one of our top of the line destroyers but they keep beating the Navy, the Pentagon and the State Dept to the punch by getting out their version of the incident first.

And then when our guys do respond its always vague, swarmy diplomatic language that gives the impression we got our asses kicked.

That won't do.

While I personally don't view Russia as an enemy, you sometimes have to smack a friend so they won't overstep.

Not having our ships turn tail just because a few jets are scrambled would be a good start.

Mountain Warfare Training....Exercise Platinum Lynx

Gotta love those sadistic bastards called Mountain Leaders.  They're just lucky it wasn't winter.  That's when that Brit accent really starts getting on your nerves..."You're a big American bloke...a bloody US Marine...now get your arse off this wee little hill"...as you're looking down from 6000 feet up!

Your tax payer dollars at work. Iraq lost 2,300 Humvees in Mosul

via Daily Star.

Iraqi security forces lost 2,300 Humvee armored vehicles when ISIS overran the northern city of Mosul, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Sunday.
"In the collapse of Mosul, we lost a lot of weapons," Abadi said in an interview with Iraqiya state TV. "We lost 2,300 Humvees in Mosulalone."
While the exact price of the vehicles varies depending on how they are armored and equipped, it is clearly a hugely expensive loss that has boosted ISIS's capabilities.
Last year, the State Department approved a possible sale to Iraq of 1,000 Humvees with increased armor, machineguns, grenade launchers, other gear and support that was estimated to cost $579 million.

Here.

Back of the paper estimate?  You're looking at probably around 3-5 billion dollars lost in the rout of Mosul.

That's your tax payer dollars at work.

Japan's flying boat...first flight of the year.

Flying Boats.

I first read about them being used by old skool Marines on Mike Sparks blog and ever since I've been intrigued by them.

That feeling increased when a buddy at HQMC told me to take a look at the Japanese model.  Why do I feel that we're leaving a capability and increased operational range on the table?  Don't laugh.  What's old is new and it looks like we might be about to engage in island hopping whether we like it or not.  Putting a couple of Marine Company Landing Teams on a beach via sea plane in the middle of the night...or just off shore and let them paddle in...might be something we need.  Not to mention long (and I mean long) range at sea rescue.

UK Police have lost their minds!

via NRA News.

The statement appears in the Frequently Asked Questions section of www.askthe.police.uk – a site that is operated by the Police National Legal Database. Information provided by the PNLD and its site are used by localpolice constabularies to help inform the public.
The question at issue asks, “Are there any legal self defence products that I can buy?” Succinctly epitomizing the sad state of natural rights in Great Britain, the first sentence states, “The only fully legal self defence product at the moment is a rape alarm.”
And to add even more insult to human dignity, the statement cautions subjects against the use of nearly any other type of defense product, and reads like an appeal for victims to graciously suffer criminal violence. The answer makes clear “You must not get a product which is made or adapted to cause a person injury. Possession of such a product in public (and in private in specific circumstances) is against the law.”

The UK police have lost their minds!

Before you defend their actions and point out that my NRA is a gun rights group, I will happily respond...AND YOUR POINT IS?????

Don't focus on the news source.  Focus on the information!  UK citizens are being told that they have to cower in fear of any animal that decides to take their possessions or do them and their family harm.

I do not believe that a civilization can continue that takes the natural right of self defense away from its citizens.  Time and time again we have seen that the state is incapable of performing the task and those that believe in it have been victims.

Yeah.  I'll hang onto my Glocks and ARs thank you very much!

MdCN Naval Cruise Missile 1st Launch from FREMM Frigate via Naval Recognition.

Farley talks Armata MBT....

via NI

Will the Armata become a major export tank? Nikolas Gvosdev suggests that Russia may become the “arsenal of autocracy,” and that the Armata could have a big impact on the international stage. Uralvagonzavod seems to agree, and has already begun hyping the prospects of sales to Egypt and various Central Asian states.

Here.

Farley is a bit "down" on the capabilities of the Russians to produce the tank.  I don't quite get that.  Increased military production is basic 101 of revitalizing an economy.  More importantly the Russians are highly motivated.

The above blurb should not be ignored.

The Russians...more precisely Putin does not seem like the type of guy to let slights or perceived insults go.  My prediction?  US forces or our allies will face these vehicles on the battlefield.  An honest assessment of its capabilities will happen.  We just need to be patient and watch the world spin.

Interesting take on US Arms Sales to the Middle East.

via CFIP

The surge in arms sales under Obama is rooted in two factors, one political and one economic. The political aspect of the Obama approach mirrors the path pursued by President Richard Nixon in response to the unpopularity of the Vietnam War. In 1969, Nixon announced that henceforth the United States would supply generous quantities of military assistance to allied regimes, in an effort to “avoid another war like Vietnam anywhere in the world.” And in a 1967 article in Foreign Affairs, Nixon referenced the political roots of his emerging policy, noting that Vietnam had sown “bitter dissension” domestically, producing a “deep reluctance to become involved once again in a similar intervention on a similar basis.”

And then this...

Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewsonsuggested that continued “volatility” in the Middle East and Asia make them “growth areas” for the firm.And a few years ago, Boeing launched an effort to get export sales in its defense division up to 25 to 30 percent, from just 7 percent in 2005.

First I'll be straight with you...the Center For International Policy is one of those old skool liberal, peacenik think tanks....

But that doesn't mean they can't be right on certain topic!

What I found extremely compelling is the link between the policy approaches adopted by Nixon in comparison to what Obama is doing.  I checked and the analysis seems to be spot on.  What surprised me is the economic link they pointed out.  Military Industrial Complex indeed.  I'm sure someone can point to other sectors that experienced sales increases that rival the examples in the article but I can't think of one right now.

General Smedley Butler!  Sir, you are proving to be a prophet!  I'm gonna have to re-read your book!