Canadian Army leaps into Exercise CASTOR MOUILLÉ

C-130 avionics upgrade program.

Usually this kind of thing makes my eyes roll, but this is kinda cool...via Defesa Global...

Before the upgrade....

And then after...awesome...

Why Robert...Why????

I've had my dust ups with ARES Blog.  I've found that on one particular issue they appear to be biased, and seem to have spun facts.

I thought the bias rested with only one author.

I was wrong.

Check out this story by Robert Wall.

The U.S. Marine Corps has gotten a lot of attention for its MV-22 mission, this year, to rescue one of two downed F-15 pilots when the fighter went down in Libya owing to mechanical problems.

But the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), not as publicity hungry or savy, has quietly carried out a far more significant search and rescue mission using its tiltrotor.

Seriously?

I mean seriously?

No, what I really mean is WHAT THE FUCK!

Lets look at the facts first, and I highly recommend that you read the whole story, but Robert reports that the AFSOC used the CV-22 to rescue personnel stuck in difficult conditions.

What difficult conditions means is beyond me.  Snow bound?  Under fire?  An injured man that needed evacuation due to a non combat related cause?  We just don't know and he doesn't say.

But to compare the rescue of service personnel under any circumstance as being more important is STUPID.

To say that the Marine Corps sought this publicity is equally insane and lastly that bit of speculation on the reporters part does nothing to advance the story but only shows his anti- Marine Corps feelings.   This last part is equally telling.

Next year, AFSOC will also be the first to stand up an overseas V-22 base, when CV-22s will be based at RAF Mildenhall, U.K.

Not only has the reporter not done his homework, not only has he introduced another non-factor into the story, but he again reveals his anti- Marine Corps bias.  How?  Because the USMC recently announced that it was going to station MV-22's in Japan.  That covers the bias part, he's playing tit for tat with V-22 basing---perhaps it was a birdie put in his ear by the non-publicity seeking AFSOC.  How did he not do his homework?  Because he is showering AFSOC with praise when SecDef Gates just announced that the US will be realigning its forces to the Pacific!  AFSOC is showing that its stuck in cold war thinking by putting necessary assets in the UK when we are moving forces (ground forces anyway) out of Europe.

I've been patient, but this kind of thing pushes me over the top.  Get a grip guys!

Want a completely opposite view of the same briefing that Robert reported on?  Check out the DewLine.

Internally Transportable Vehicle (ITV) in action with 11th MEU.

Cpl. Anthony Jones guides a light utility vehicle into a CH-53E heavy lift helicopter with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit' s aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced), during an aerial transport exercise here May 24. Jones, 23, a Stuart, Fla. native, is a mortarman serving with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the ground combat element of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
Photo ByLine: Lance Cpl. Claudia M. Palacios

Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, load a Expeditionary Fire Support System into a CH-53E heavy lift helicopter from the MEU's aviation combat element, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268 (Reinforced) during an aerial transport exercise here May 24. This is the first time the system has been loaded into an aircraft on the West Coast.
Photo ByLine: Lance Cpl. Claudia M. Palacios

Lance Cpl. Romero Almanza from Battalion Landing Team 3/1, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, removes a roll cage from a light utility vehicle during an aerial transport exercise here May 24. This is the first time that the Expeditionary Fire Support System has been loaded into an aircraft on the West Coast.
Photo ByLine: Lance Cpl. Claudia M. Palacios

11th MEU Factbook

11th MEU Factbook

How Marines actually feel about DADT.

Thanks again Joe for the article.

Via the Raw Story.  Read the whole thing but...

"Sir, we joined the Marine Corps because the Marine Corps has a set of standards and values that is better than that of the civilian sector. And we have gone and changed those values and repealed the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy," the sergeant told Gates during the question and answer session.
"We have not given the Marines a chance to decide whether they wish to continue serving under that. Is there going to be an option for those Marines that no longer wish to serve due to the fact their moral values have not changed?" he asked.
"No," Gates responded. "You'll have to complete your ... enlistment just like everybody else."

This is the truth that no one wants to admit.  I stand by earlier posts.  The repeal of DADT will get peoples asses kicked and careers ruined.  This is an ill conceived policy and the Marine Corps will suffer for it.  We will see the gay version of tail hook and it won't be pretty at all.  

Why airpower has failed in Libya.

Thanks Joe for sending this article.

A must read from Politico....a tidbit but make sure you read the entire article...its a primer on how airpower alone will never win wars.

Absent a coup or lucky air strike that takes out Qadhafi, success requires what all other wars demanded: a competent, reasonably armed and well-led ground capacity. In the Libya case, this will require time, money, equipment and leadership with far more on-the-ground NATO assistance. For those who think otherwise, they would do well to recall the conclusion Johns Hopkins University strategist Eliot Cohen — the director of the U.S. government’s Persian Gulf War evaluation — made in Foreign Affairs in 1994: “Air power is an unusually seductive form of military strength, in part because, like modern courtship, it appears to offer gratification without commitment.”
In Libya, gratification will not suffice.

Today is the anniversary of the D-Day Invasion.

Some websites you should check out...

US Army History...The Normandy Invasion in Pictures.


The National D-Day Memorial.

Update on Force Protection's Timberwolf Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle.

Remember my article on Force Protection's Timberwolf TAPV?  Well it appears that I owe them an apology for 'holding their cards close to the vest'...not only are all the contenders doing that, but Mr. Pruitt from FP responded to my inquiry and added that because of the Canadian RFP not being complete--he couldn't answer questions at this time.

Fair enough.  Add to it that Force Protection responded to my e-mail then they get more than a pass...they rate a Bravo Zulu.  He did state that further information would be available soon...so when I get it so will you.  No further info.

Team Timberwolf Website.

ANGLICO and Radio Battalion in the fight....

COMBAT OUTPOST SHUKVANI, Afghanistan-Cpl. Scott Harvey, a cryptologic linguist with Operational Command Element 2, 2nd Radio Battalion, Task Force Belleau Wood, listens for insurgent radio activity, May 8. Radio Battalion consists of linguists and signal analysts who provide coalition units with indication and warning of insurgent activity., Lance Cpl. Bryan Nygaard, 5/7/2011 8:14 AM

COMBAT OUTPOST SHUKVANI, Afghanistan-Sgt. Joseph Graham, a forward observer with Fire Control Team 5, Supporting Arms Liaison Team Chuck, 2nd Air-Naval Gunfire Liaison Company monitors a village for insurgent activity, May 7. Marines with 2nd Radio Battalion, Task Force Belleau Wood, supply units like 2nd ANGLICO with indications and warning of insurgent activity., Lance Cpl. Bryan Nygaard, 5/7/2011 7:15 AM

Nevada Automotive Test Center...

The Nevada Automotive Test Center...if you're into military vehicles, then this is probably one of the most important quasi-government orgs you've never (maybe) heard of...
Nevada Automotive Test Center

Hi-Rez Photo of Textron's Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle (TAPV)

photo courtesy of Textron Marine and Land Systems

Another reader made the comment that this vehicle is simply a re-do of their M-117.

My response is yeah and ???

The Canadians have hit on something here.  Clean sheet designs might not be the 'be all to end all'...perhaps modified vehicles tailored to requirements is the future...especially with constrained budgets.

Personally---I like it.