Spartan Brigade’ paratroopers conduct simulated Airborne Assault (Forcible Entry Operation) during Exercise Talisman Sabre 21

 

U.S. Army paratroopers with the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), jump onto a drop zone as part of a simulated Joint Forcible Entry Operation during Exercise Talisman Sabre 21 in Charters Towers, Queensland, Australia, July 28, 2021. This event is part of a larger simulated JFEO overseen by the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division Forward Command Post acting as the Combined Land Forces Component Command headquarters for this portion of TS21. TS21 supports the U.S. National Defense Strategy by enhancing the ability to protect the homeland and provide combat-credible forces to address the full range of potential security concerns in the Indo-Pacific.

Embraer C-390 Millennium conducts operation tests on unpaved track

 Thanks to Kobudo for the link!

Apollo 15 Launches – July 26, 1971

 

This week is the 50th anniversary of Apollo 15, which launched in 1971 from pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center carrying astronauts David Scott, Alfred Worden, and James Irwin. The mission objectives were to explore the Hadley-Apennine region of the Moon, set up and activate lunar surface scientific experiments, make engineering evaluations of new Apollo equipment, conduct lunar orbital experiments, and photographic tasks. This was the first of three missions to employ use of the Lunar Roving Vehicle – which designed and developed at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center – to enhance exploration and geological investigations on the Moon. In a series of special events beginning in July 2019, NASA began marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Program -- the historic effort that sent the first U.S. astronauts into orbit around the Moon in 1968, and landed a dozen astronauts on the lunar surface between 1969 and 1972. Today, Marshall is playing a vital role in the Artemis program by developing the Space Launch System, the backbone of NASA’s exploration plans and the only rocket capable of sending humans to the Moon and Mars. The NASA History Program is responsible for generating, disseminating, and preserving NASA’s remarkable history and providing a comprehensive understanding of the institutional, cultural, social, political, economic, technological, and scientific aspects of NASA’s activities in aeronautics and space. For more pictures like this one and to connect to NASA’s history, visit the Marshall History Program’s webpage.

The Taliban are back to committing atrocities...

#Kandahar: Video of martyred Nazar Mohammad, the famous Kandahari comedian, has been circulating on social media showing the moments when the Taliban took him away from his home and eventually martyred him. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/JSkWaAmnHB

— RTA World (@rtaworld) July 27, 2021

I hoped...yeah to hope is to be a fool...that the Taliban would moderate themselves. 

They aren't.

I've read stories of not just translators but others being beheaded, shot execution style etc...

But even with all that I believe we were right to end our involvement in that country.

The Afghanistan govt had 20 years to develop its military power and its Officer/NCO Corps.  They were lavishly equipped.  They were given enormous amounts of aid to develop their institutions and infrastructure.

They failed.

Now they reap the whirlwind.  I regret that their are victims here but its a failure of their people, not a failure on our part.

Tell me why I'm wrong.

M1 Abrams Block III Tank Test Bed (TTB)...The American "Armata" before the Russian Armata!

 

After the Tiger II yesterday, we jump ahead several decades to the M1 Abrams Block III Tank Test Bed (TTB). Designed in the 1980s and tested in the 1990s, the TTB had a remote operated turret with an autoloaded 120mm main gun. The three-man crew sat side by side in the hull. pic.twitter.com/JIOYYoeFVF

— U.S. Army Armor & Cavalry Collection (@ArmorCollection) July 29, 2021

Navy conducts first MQ-4C Triton test flight with multi-intelligence upgrade

 

via NAVAIR

Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md.

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The Navy conducted its first test flight of the MQ-4C Triton in its upgraded hardware and software configuration July 29 at NAS Patuxent River, beginning the next phase of the unmanned aircraft’s development. 

The MQ-4C Triton flew in its new configuration, known as Integrated Functional Capability (IFC)-4, which will bring an enhanced multi-mission sensor capability as part of the Navy’s Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (MISR&T) transition plan.

Triton's Integrated Test Team (ITT) comprised of the U.S. Navy, Australian cooperative partners, and government/industry teams completed a functional check flight and initial aeromechanical test points, demonstrating stability and control of the MQ-4C after a 30-month modification period.  

“Today’s flight is a significant milestone for the program and a testament to the resolve of the entire ITT, their hard work, and passion for test execution and program success,” said Capt. Dan Mackin, Persistent Maritime Unmanned Aircraft Systems program manager. “This flight proves that the program is making significant progress toward Triton’s advanced multi-intelligence upgrade and it brings us closer to achieving the initial operational capability (IOC) milestone.” 

Multiple Triton assets have been modified into the IFC-4 configuration in support of IOC in 2023.  A single test asset is in the current IFC-3 configuration to support sustainment of deployed systems as well as risk reduction for IFC-4. 

Currently, two MQ-4C Triton aircraft in the baseline configuration known as IFC-3 are forward deployed to 7th Fleet in support of early operational capability (EOC) and Commander Task Force (CTF)-72 tasking. VUP-19 will operate Triton to further develop the concept of operations and fleet learning associated with operating a high-altitude, long-endurance system in the maritime domain.

“The MQ-4C Triton has already had a tremendous positive impact on operations in USINDOPACOM and will continue to provide unprecedented maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities which are especially critical to national interests with the increased focus in the Pacific,” Mackin said.

Triton is the first high altitude, long endurance aircraft that can conduct persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions to complement the P-8 in the maritime domain. The Navy plans to deploy Triton to five orbits worldwide. 

Exercise Tiltrotor/Rotary Wing (TR/RW) 2107

 

Members of the Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 169 prepare for takeoff in an MV-22 Osprey during exercise Tiltrotor/Rotary Wing (TR/RW) 2107 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 23, 2020. The Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 and HMLA-169 supported the exercise with MV-22 Ospreys, UH-1Y Venoms, AH-1Z Vipers and 300 Marines and Sailors. The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing trains continuously in challenging and realistic environments and scenarios to support the security Japan.

11th MEU ADRD (All Domain Reconnaissance Detachment) conducts helocast training at Camp Pendleton

 

U.S. Marines with the All Domain Reconnaissance Detachment, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, leap from helicopters assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 11th MEU, during helocast training at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 15, 2021. Helocasting is a method for quick and efficient entry into the water from a helicopter, during amphibious operations.

MEU Air Combat Element on deck...

 

Marine Air is formidable. But is it picking up too many missions and being relied upon too much? Assuming that the aircraft of today are much more capable than those of the past (and are available) does the increase in mission sets diminish the advancement in capabilities? Does the ACE have too much on its plate?

Australian Defense Force helicopter conducts and overflight in Australia during exercise Talisman Sabre 21

 

TOWNSVILLE, QUEENSLAND, Australia (July 26, 2021) – An Australian Defence Force Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Tiger conducts a flight over Lavarack Barracks during a Governor visit conducted by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey Companion of the Order of Australia, Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, Governor of Queensland, in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, July 26, 2021. The Governor's role encompasses a wide range of important duties and responsibilities including Constitutional and legal - such as appointing Ministers of the Crown and summoning and dissolving Parliament. TS21 is a large-scale, bilateral military exercise conducted biennially across Northern Australia designed to enhance the U.S.-Australia alliance which is an anchor of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. Exercises like this provide effective and intense training to ensure the forces are capable, interoperable, responsive and combat-ready.

F-16s and Kfirs conduct aerial training

A Colombian Air Force Kfir assigned to Comando Aereo de Combate No.1 (CACOM 1) prepares to take off during Exercise Relampago VI at Comando Aereo de Combate Number 5 (CACOM 5) in Rionegro, Colombia, July 26, 2021. Relampago VI provides joint training and improves readiness of U.S. and partner nation military personnel through interoperability training. 

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 79th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron flies over Colombia during Exercise Relampago VI, July 26, 2021. The United States is an enduring, reliable partner with a shared stake in the security and prosperity of the region, and this exercise will improve Colombian and U.S. forces’ capabilities to rapidly deploy and employ forces anywhere around the globe at any moment. 

ADF, U.S. and Japanese joint amphibious assault - Talisman Sabre 2021