I'm not crazy...People are talking about what a war between the US & Russia would look like....

Thanks to Al Z. for the link!

via Popular Mechanics.

The escalation begins with a strategic sacrifice. Russian helicopters in Syria are loaded with fuel drums and flown on a flight profile that mirrors a barrel bomb mission. The Raptors take the bait, immolate the Russians in midair, and give the Kremlin a talking point about "slain Russian troops." Now it can say the Americans fired first and cast its next steps as self-defense.
The Moskva's radar spots the tankers easily as they make racetrack patterns in the sky. The refueling aircraft are 135 feet long and have virtually no defenses. They fly without escorts. The Russians wait until fate deals them a good hand—one aerial refueler from Greece is heading back to its base, over the Mediterranean. Another is loitering near Aleppo, tanking U.S. fighters. All are within range of theMoskva's 48N6E2 missiles.

The Med is crowded with warships. The United States has four Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers off the Syrian coast, and part of their job is to shadow Russian warships. They've followed miles behind as the Moskva creeps along the coastline, north of their new airbase in Latakia.
And when the pair of SAMs rise from the Moskva, the crew on the bridge knows this war has entered a new, scary phase. They go into combat alert and radio to their base in Rota, Spain. By the time the news reaches commanders, the refueling aircraft are obliterated, the eight crewmembers onboard killed instantly.

You know I love my military fiction, so I found this story rather entertaining.

But what should catch your attention isn't the story itself but the implications of a publication like Popular Mechanics even writing it.

People...people in the mainstream, not just military nuts like us....are starting to wonder if our leaders will let current events spiral out of control.

I wasn't crazy when I stated that we're close...hell, even now I contend that what we're seeing could be labeled a World War...but that's besides the point.  The average citizen of the West is starting to doubt the strategy of the Obama Administration.

What is the prime example of their incompetence?  No, its not the training mission to arm the rebels.  It's not the failure of Iraqi leadership to be inclusive.  Both those initiatives required us to have partners that were mature and ready to do the hard thing.  The prime example is how long its taking to work out an agreement on deconflicting the airspace over Syria.  It should be simple.  According to reports, the Israeli's got one hammered out and so did Turkey.  Why the US is still working at it means that they're trying to get concessions over what should be a pure military consideration.  That's pathetic, childish and unprofessional.

But that's our current leadership.

Who knew? It's actually a maneuver...

Hat Tip to the Unwanted Blog



Live and learn.

I always assumed that when you're in the back of one of these things having hydraulic fluid leaking all over your cammies and the pilot does one of these "hey guys...take a look at the ground out the back of the ramp" that it was just their way of fucking with us.

Little did I know it's an actual maneuver and not high tech hazing.  Amazing.

Mainstream media is finally questioning Obama's Syria policy...

Thanks to William for the link!

View More: Previews News|60 Minutes News|Live News|More News Videos

via CBS news..

Steve Kroft: bombing the people-- that we are supporting.

President Barack Obama: So that's leading, Steve? Let me ask you this question. When I came into office-- Ukraine was governed by a corrupt ruler who was a stooge of Mr. Putin.

Steve Kroft: Right, right, right.

President Barack Obama: Syria was Russia's only ally in the region. And today, rather than being able to count on their support and maintain the base they had in Syria, which they've had for a long time. Mr. Putin now is devoting- his own troops, his own military, just to barely hold together by a thread his sole ally. And in Ukraine--

Steve Kroft: He's challenging your leadership, Mr. President. He's challenging your leadership-

President Barack Obama: Well-- Steve, I got to tell you, if you think that running your economy into the ground and having to send troops in, in order to prop up your only ally is leadership, then we've got a different definition of leadership.

During the promo clip you can hear the anguish in Steve Kroft's voice.  He's an Obama guy.  He believes in his policies...but even he can see that they're not working.

My prediction?  The next step will be the search for someone or some organization to blame the failure on.  It won't be the Pentagon, they still have enough support to make it politically risky.  It won't be the intel agencies.  The leaking of news that the reports on ISIS were getting skewed makes it known that they will fight back and do it effectively.  That leaves the National Security Advisor.  The President's term is almost up and I can see her falling on the sword to allow her friend and mentor to remain untainted.  We'll see soon enough.

Blast from the past. Major Stephen Pless...Marine Corps Legend...

Stephen Pless with Vietnam Helicopter Crew, 1967
"From left to right: Gunnery Sergeant Leroy Poulson--Gunner, Lance Corporal John Phelps--Crew Chief, Captain R.E. "Skeets" Fairfield--Co-Pilot, Captain S.W. Pless--Pilot."

His Medal of Honor Citation....

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a helicopter gunship pilot attached to Marine Observation Squadron 6 in action against enemy forces. During an escort mission Maj. Pless monitored an emergency call that 4 American soldiers stranded on a nearby beach were being overwhelmed by a large Viet Cong force. Maj. Pless flew to the scene and found 30 to 50 enemy soldiers in the open. Some of the enemy were bayoneting and beating the downed Americans. Maj. Pless displayed exceptional airmanship as he launched a devastating attack against the enemy force, killing or wounding many of the enemy and driving the remainder back into a treeline. His rocket and machinegun attacks were made at such low levels that the aircraft flew through debris created by explosions from its rockets. Seeing 1 of the wounded soldiers gesture for assistance, he maneuvered his helicopter into a position between the wounded men and the enemy, providing a shield which permitted his crew to retrieve the wounded. During the rescue the enemy directed intense fire at the helicopter and rushed the aircraft again and again, closing to within a few feet before being beaten back. When the wounded men were aboard, Maj. Pless maneuvered the helicopter out to sea. Before it became safely airborne, the overloaded aircraft settled 4 times into the water. Displaying superb airmanship, he finally got the helicopter aloft. Major Pless' extraordinary heroism coupled with his outstanding flying skill prevented the annihilation of the tiny force. His courageous actions reflect great credit upon himself and uphold the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.

Unfortunately, 6 months after receiving our nation's highest honor, Major Pless died in a motorcycle accident. 

Read about him here (I'm going to look for a better source than Wikipedia and will post it soon). 

World War Three. Let's talk definitions....

I've had some e-mails saying that I've obviously started smoking crack, or belong in an insane asylum because I said that if China enters the fray, we could be looking at the start of WW3.

Before you confirm my appointment with drug rehab or schedule a seat in the asylum I simply ask you to consider this....

Every major Western nation (let's be honest...I'm talking the EU, Australia and Canada) has committed forces to the fight in the Middle East.  The US has committed large portions of its military to that fight.  Russian has now begun combat operations.  Every major regional power (and quite a few minor ones) in the Middle East is involved in the fighting....and we keep hearing rumors (that have yet to be substantiated) that China is about to get involved.

All that military power, operating in a relatively confined area and you're telling me that this isn't brewing into something major?

The new Commandant needs to get a handle on Marine Air....

Thanks to Max for the link!

via Aviation Week (behind a paywall...a few tidbits...if this is out of bounds I might have to take it down)...

One option under study is to attach a Marine F-35B squadron full-time to the U.K. carrier force, alongside the two planned British squadrons, according to a source close to the U.S. Navy aviation community. While senior officers say it is much too early to focus on any one joint-force structure, they acknowledge many options are being considered, and the Marines specifically identify the British ships as potential bases in their most recent aviation plan.

Serious question.

The USMC is in the midst of a budget trainwreck, yet its buying so many F-35's that its able to farm some out to the UK to serve on its ships on a proposed almost permanent basis?

Is it just me or is it obvious that the Marine Corps might be buying too many F-35s!

Let's go back to boot camp on this.  Marine Aviation needs to remember its function.  If you forgot, then let me refresh your memory...

Marine Aviation provides Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) commanders with six essential functions: Offensive Air Support, Anti-Aircraft Warfare, Assault Support, Control of Missiles and Aircraft, Aerial Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare.

To be blunt the Assistant Commandant for Aviation needs to be fired.  The tail is wagging the dog and Marine Air is being led off the reservation.

Marine Air exists to support the Ground Combat Element.  FULL STOP!  It is not to provide cover for allied navies, its not to be concerned (primarily) with engaging in the "deep strike battle" that gives USAF planners woodies...its suppose to support the guys on the ground.

Its obvious from Sweetman's article that they're not only off the reservation, but have their skirt up begging for rides on the interstate.

Enough.  Time for that cowboy to pack his bags.  He's had his time in the sun.

Obama Administration capitulates...ending Syrian training mission!

Thanks to William for the link!

via...

*OBAMA ADMIN SAID TO END PROGRAM TO TRAIN SYRIAN REBELS: NYT2015-10-09 11:39:45.667 GMT
--CHRIS KINGDON

Round 1 goes firmly to Putin and the Russian Defense Ministry.  Am I the only one seeing failure here?

15th MEU's Battalion Landing Team at work!...Photos by Sgt. Jamean Berry

That story about China joining Russia in Syria is picking up traction...

Thanks to Maurice for the link!

via Express.uk

Russian media followed that up by quoting Igor Morozov, a member of the Russian Federation Committee on International Affairs, confirming Chinese aircraft carrier, Lianoning, and a guided missile cruiser were heading to the area, and adding Chinese military advisers were already in the region.
Mr Morozov said: "It is known that China has joined our military operation in Syria.
"The Chinese cruiser has already entered the Mediterranean, followed by its aircraft carrier."
These reports have not been verified by China and satellite images show the Syrian port of Tartus, currently empty.

However, China come under threat from ISIS in recent months increasing the theory an attack is in the pipeline.
It began last year when ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi sent out a chilling threat to China over the perceived oppression of the Muslim Uighur minority in the state of Xinjiang.
Beijing claims members of the Uighur militant group, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, have been training with extremists in Syria and Iraq.
China officials also say they face a severe threat of terror attacks in Xinjiang, where hundreds have died in clashes over the past three years.
China was further angered by ISIS insurgents releasing photos last month purporting to be of a Chinese citizen who had recently gone missing in the region.
They were demanding a ransom for his return.

ISIS has also spoken of its desire to increase its presence in China and last month a document from the group revealed the country is among a list of nations it wants to seize by 2020.

If any of this turns out to be true....then we're seeing the most inept, stupid, incompetent...words escape me for how badly our Administration, State Dept, Pentagon and Intel communities really are.

If China enters the fray then I feel confident in declaring that we're seeing the opening stages of a world war. 

Proof that demons exist and the Death Penalty is necessary.

via Yahoo...

A California man charged with murdering his mother told police that killing her and desecrating her body felt “good,” according to reports.
Omar Pettigen, 31, allegedly used a tomahawk that hung on the wall of his 64-year-old mother’s Monroe apartment to strike her on the head before shooting her in the back at least seven times and cutting open her chest to pick up her heart, according to court documents obtained by The New York Daily News.
He put the heart back in Nailah Pettigen’s body and then reportedly masturbated because “he needed to be with himself and needed a release after the event,” the documents apparently said.
Omar Pettigen allegedly said the gruesome act felt “good” when he was arrested north of Oakland on Sunday, SFgate.com wrote.
His arrest came after police discovered the woman’s body in her blood-soaked bedroom, according to the News. They were performing a welfare check on the behest of Nailah Pettigen’s ex-husband.
The former American High School math teacher “appeared to have been disemboweled,” the News wrote, noting she had been cut from her neck down to her cervix.
Omar Pettigen allegedly told detectives he comitted the act because his mother was killing herself with prescription painkillers, which he said she had become addicted to after hip and knee problems as well as surgery, the News wrote.

Demons exist & The death penalty is a societal necessity.  'Nuff said.  I would love to hear someone defend this evil bastard and make a rational case why society shouldn't kill him.  I can't think of one.