USS Boxer conduct water ops. Photos by Seaman T. Welsh.

Amphibious assault vehicles from 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit approach the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group as the U.S. Central Command theater reserve force, and is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay conducts flight operations in the Gulf of Aden. Green Bay is part of Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Amphibious assault vehicles from 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit approach the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group as the U.S. Central Command theater reserve force, and is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer conduct small boat operations in a rigid-hull inflatable boat as the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay passes near them. Boxer and Green Bay are part of Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Amphibious assault vehicles from 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit approach the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer. 13th MEU is deployed with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group as the U.S. Central Command theater reserve force, and is also providing support for maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Old ideas dusted off as being new. The USS America as a sea control ship.

Sea Control Ship

I am amazed at how the flexibility of amphibious ships is now being touted as an idea to scrap another part of the US Navy. This time aircraft carriers.  What we have is another false choice being proposed by a group of thinkers that supposes the ability of the enemy to quickly and efficiently nullify a warfighting capability, while ignoring the fact that they are attempting to gain the very capability that they would have us relinquish!

But I digress.  This Proceedings article is all the buzz and all it is, is a rehash of the '70's control ship idea.

The thought that the defense community would be all a-twitter over this is ... AMAZING.  Here is a tidbit but read the entire thing.

In the meantime, the America-class big-deck amphibious ship has the potential to be a new generation of light aircraft carrier. At 45,000 tons’ displacement, she will slide into the water larger than her World War II predecessors, and larger even than the modern French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Designed without an amphibious well-deck, she will put to sea with a Marine Air Combat Element and key elements of a Marine Expeditionary Unit.
However, to view this purely as an amphibious-assault ship would be to miss her potential as a strike platform. Stripped of her rotorcraft, the America class could comfortably hold two squadrons of F-35B short take-off vertical-landing (STOVL) stealth fighter/attack aircraft. Such an arrangement would allow the naval services to dramatically increase presence and strike potential throughout the maritime domain. In addition, if the requirements were instituted in the near term, the new unmanned carrier-launched airborne-surveillance and strike (UCLASS) aircraft could be designed to operate from America-class decks with greater potential utility and distribution than what could be expected when operating from super carriers.

 That boys and girls is nothing more than a Sea Control Ship.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing revolutionary.  Simply an old idea dressed up.

USS America Class LHA

Where is the line between support and product endorsement?

I wonder where the line is ethically for the Army Colonel in the video above.  Bell Helicopter is making an upgraded OH-58F for them currently and is also in competition to build the next scout helicopter.

With that in mind, does a video like this cross the line?

I hope that someone experienced in military ethics 101 can explain the hows and whys when it comes to the difference here.

Oh and understand:  I don't blame Bell Helicopter one bit.  They're capitalist and are trying to put the best light on there products possible.  What I'm wondering about is where the line is for the military.

Alpha Company 1/5 on patrol. Photos by Cpl. B. Crilly.

PATROL BASE JAMIL, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Pfc. Jared D. Poppe, a designated marksman for 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, moves through a compound in Sangin, Afghanistan, April 30. Poppe was returning from a patrol as part of their efforts to employ counterinsurgency in the outer parts of their area of operations. Poppe, 21, is from El Paso, Ill., and graduated from El Paso-Griddley High School in 2008.

PATROL BASE JAMIL, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Marines of 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, return to their patrol base from an overnight patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, April 30. Night patrols give the Marines a different perspective, limit enemy maneuverability and give 3rd Platoon the ability to compensate for some of the obstacles in their surroundings.

PATROL BASE JAMIL, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Lance Cpl. Grant D. Schick, a dog handler for 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, holds security for Marines moving into a compound in Sangin, Afghanistan, April 30. An overnight patrol is a way that the Marines of 1/5 have found to conduct counterinsurgency in the outer parts of their area of operations. Schick, 23, is from Toledo, Ohio, and graduated from Morrison R. Watie High School in 2006.

PATROL BASE JAMIL, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Lance Cpl. Clinton A. Bible, a grenadier for 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, climbs a ladder to post security on the roof of a compound in Sangin, Afghanistan, April 30. Posting up on the roof of compounds gives the Marines a different perspective and a better vantage point to observe insurgent activity. Bible, 21, is from Chelsea, Okla., and graduated from Hallsville High School in Missouri.

PATROL BASE JAMIL, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Benjamin J. O’Donnell (right), the platoon commander for 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, speaks to a homeowner at his compound in Sangin, Afghanistan, April 30. O’Donnell and the rest of 3rd Platoon develop relationships with the people of Sangin through their overnight patrols. O’Donnell, 26, is from Apalachin, N.Y.

Questions about the Raid that I'd love answered...

Just a few questions I'd love answers to...

1.  Why do Navy SEALs trace their ancestory to UDT instead of Navy Scouts and Raiders?
2.  Why did JSOC choose to go with the 160th instead of AFSOC?
(a) Is it because AFSOC chose the wrong platform? (CV-22 instead of MH-47)
(b) Does this indicate that the 160th is considered a higher tiered unit?
(c) How have they been able to keep a top secret aircraft under wraps in the middle of Kentucky?
3.  What was the backup force?  Army Rangers?  More SEALs?
4.  How did SEAL Team 6 get the mission instead of DELTA?
5.  What has DELTA been doing?  SEAL TEAM 6 has been all over the news lately...what are the other Supermen in the DoD doing.
6.  Was a package of fast movers available to provide assistance?  How many, what type, what branch?
7.  How big a force was the SEALs thought capable of engaging?  If a platoon of terrorist were inside the compound...detected 10 minutes before landing would that have scrubbed the mission?
8.  Is it common for the President to personally observe these type missions?  I'm fairly certain that they've thought that they had "him" before.
9.  What other assets were dedicated to this mission?  A commenter on ARES suggests that jammer aircraft, command and control platforms etc were assisting.  Is this true?  If so then why is that considered a secret?
10.  Once it was determined that the helicopter was not completely destroyed, why wasn't an airstrike called in to finish the job.  Could the remnants give clues to our enemies about our classified aircraft?
11.  Who was in control of this mission?  JSOC?  Central Command?  CIA?  Or was it run out of the Sec of Defense's office?

Just a few quick questions.  If you have more then send them my way.

They should have named an aircraft carrier after him.

Thanks Craig for sending me this vid.

Remember this post on the naming of a new Destroyer after LT Murphy?  They should have named an aircraft carrier after this American hero.

This is the story that the Navy should be shouting to the rooftops. 

3/8 is going home.

HSM-71 Commander Highlights MH-60R Capabilities

A proper tribute.

WASHINGTON (May 7, 2008) A photo illustration of the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112). The ship will be named after Lt. Michael P. Murphy (Sea, Air, Land) who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during combat in Afghanistan on 27 and 28 June 2005. U.S. Navy Photo Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jay Chu (Released)

F-35B hits another milestone.

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Lockheed Martin test pilot David “Doc” Nelson flies F-35B test aircraft BF-3 on its first flight in short take-off and vertical landing mode (STOVL) in an Atlantic operating area April 25, 2011. BF-3 is a test aircraft dedicated to structural loads evaluation; its first STOVL flight and subsequent first vertical landing April 29 demonstrated growing maturity in STOVL mode flight for the F-35B. The F-35B is a supersonic stealth fighter with next generation mission systems capable of short take-offs and vertical landings suitable for the U.S. Marine Corps expeditionary environment. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River in preparation for delivery to the fleet. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – U.S. Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Fred “Tinman” Schenk lands F-35B test aircraft BF-4 on its first vertical landing April 27, 2011. BF-4 is a test aircraft dedicated to evaluating mission systems and currently flies with Block 1.0 software. With this milestone, the F-35B test aircraft at NAS Patuxent River demonstrated growing maturity in short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) mode flight with all four aircraft completing STOVL flights. The integrated test force at NAS Patuxent River has completed all of the vertical landings and more than eighty percent of the short take-offs needed for upcoming shipboard testing this year. The F-35B is a supersonic stealth fighter with next generation mission systems capable of short take-offs and vertical landings suitable for the U.S. Marine Corps expeditionary environment. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River in preparation for delivery to the fleet. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

Posted by David Cenciotti...he's got a serial number from the downed helo!

You have got to go to David's Blog to read the story on this.  His reporting on the air war in Libya is second to none and his coverage of this 'stealth' helo ranks up there as well.

MASSIVE HAT TIP TO YOU DAVID! 

Colbert on SEAL Team 6.

                   

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CAD of the damaged MH-60 tail section.

David sent me this CAD of the tail section of the MH-60.  Now if this doesn't grab your attention nothing will.  According to the comments section on this website, it originated on Military Photos.

Thanks David!  This is beyond interesting.

3-73 CAV Airborne Operation.

Check out the PLF on the last few photos....ouch!

Pic of the day. May 3, 2011.

Another Copalman special.  You really should check out his Flickr page.

Geez! What does it take to kill this thing! The Vampire engine rises again.

Wow.  I was amazed to read this.  Thanks Joe for sending it... GE (and an obviously loopy Congressman from Ohio seated in the Leaders Speakers chair) is obviously not to be underestimated.  Via FrumForum

WASHINGTON — The Department of Defense hasofficially canceled a contract for a General Electric-developed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. Both the Houseand the Senate have blocked funding for it, arguing that one engine for one plane is enough.
Connecticut-based Pratt & Whitney won the original contract for one engine, while a GE-Rolls Royce alliance has been developing a second engine. The latter has become a symbol of government waste, and the White House has promised to veto any bill that funded the alternate program.
Yet the engine simply won’t die.
The House Armed Services Committee released its spending outlines for the coming fiscal year Tuesday, and the second engine is right back in.

Private William Hudson in Aliens

Pmiglio put together every line uttered by Hudson in Aliens...pretty funny...besides...we needed a little change of pace.

Boeing...you suck.

Trimble over at the Dew Line linked to what he called some very cool photos released by Boeing.  Can't tell because you have to be a registered journalist to get the hi-rez version of them.

Really?

Really Boeing?

Has the fight with Airbus made you this big a pussy?

Have they kicked you in the nuts so many times that you've turned into penny pinching idiots?  I mean for heaven sakes...they have military equipment being sold to my nation and yours...they're trying to rally the public to speak up for this domestic company and the sorry bastards want to charge for high resolution pics?

Heck, I'd register and get them for ya but guess what!  Unless you have an Aviation Week or Flight Global beside your name then you're just not relevant in their eyes.

Amazing.

Boeing.  You Suck.

Take a page from Lockheed Martin...EADS...General Dynamics etc.  Your public relations model is from the 18th century.

It’s like a football lineman with the speed of a wide receiver and the skills of a quarterback.

Centcom Blog goes "loopy" over the CH-47...you have got to read this love fest!  Just kidding...kinda...but the good Major would definitely get a tingle if he ever flew the CH-53 if the '47 can do this for him (well if it was a newer or recently refurbished model anyway).

F-35 and F-22...Together at last!..the video!

Sferrin...Thanks guy....pure dee awesome.