What's going on with the cargo UAV??

This is rather disturbing.  Not because the UAV Cargo Helicopter isn't in theater now (as promised) but because of what it means for a couple of other programs.

I am convinced that one of the little acknowledged problems with the EFV was the lack of urgency by not only the manufacturer but the program office.  I see that creeping into this program and I'm wondering if its going to be an issue with other Marine Corps programs.

We need to get a handle on this asap!  Story via NAVAIR.

NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md.—The Navy and Marine Corps plans to field a cargo unmanned aircraft system are moving forward as the first of two potential UAS helicopters landed at Pax River, July 1.

The Navy and Marine Corps Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Air Systems program office (PMA-266) coordinated the arrival of Lockheed Martin’s KMAX helicopter, one of the systems that will potentially deploy to Afghanistan later this year.

“Our team has worked very hard to respond to an urgent needs requirement for a Cargo UAS capability in support of Marine Corps forces engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom,” said Capt. Patrick Smith, program manager for PMA-266.

In December 2010, PMA-266 awarded contracts to two suppliers, Lockheed Martin and Boeing/Frontier Aviation, for potential deployment support in Afghanistan. In order to meet the urgent operational needs of the Marine Corps, both suppliers were selected to reduce potential deployment delays and possible inability to meet performance requirements.

The Navy plans to deploy one of the systems that has demonstrated ability to meet technical requirements following a favorable Quick Reaction Assessment (QRA). The second system may be used for future operational missions and/or science and technology development.

The Lockheed Martin KMAX will begin Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3) testing at the Pax River facility. The purpose of E3 testing is to measure and provide results regarding the aircraft's electromagnetic susceptibility to certain frequencies, which can affect flight-critical and other systems within the aircraft. The Boeing/Frontier Aviation Hummingbird will go through the same testing at a later date

“Both the KMAX and Boeing A-160T “Hummingbird” are required to go through E3 testing prior to the QRA,” said Eric Pratson, integrated product team lead for the Cargo UAS program. “This will help insure that the aircraft operates as designed while being exposed to ambient electrical signals in Afghanistan.”

After completing E3 testing, two KMAX UAS will be shipped to Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz. in preparation for QRA planned for August 2011. Under the guidance of Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force, Marines from Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) 1 will act as operational commanders and forward operating base controllers for a seven day period. During that time, the system is required to deliver 6,000 pounds of slung load cargo per day.

“A successful QRA will prove sustainment of a cargo-carrying capability in an operational environment,” Pratson said.

The Navy’s Cargo UAS service will augment Marine Corps ground and air logistics operations in Operation Enduring Freedom. This capability will also supplement rotary wing assets and reduce Marine Corps exposure to Improvised Explosive Devices in theater. The Navy intends to field Cargo UAS in fall 2011 for a six-month deployment.

“Fielding this system will enable us to keep trucks off the road and keep our troops safe,” Smith added.

As anxious as I am to see this get to AFG, this is a future capability that will only be developed and proven during this conflict.  Want to see the building blocks of distributed operations?  You're looking at it when you see the UAV Cargo Helicopter.

Magpul Sponsored Truck "BAM BAM" in Euro Breslau Rallye

Who would guess that MAGPUL has a genuine off road vehicle that they entered into a race.    More info on the race can be found here and here.  Interesting.

Pre-emptive F-35 news blast.

Consider this a preemptive strike against the F-35 critics that will be howling about this on Tuesday.  via NWFDailyNews.com.

Although they did not meet their expected June delivery date, Eglin Air Force Base’s first two F-35 Joint Strike Fighters have completed their test flights and are in their final review to be accepted by the Department of Defense.
Representatives from Lockheed Martin, the main contractor building the fifth-generation fighter jet, said last month that the first F-35s were expected to arrive in June. Although Lockheed officials cannot provide a firm date, they now say the AF-8 and AF-9 — Eglin’s first two Joint Strike Fighters — will “arrive shortly.”
“What we’re finding is it’s taking a little bit longer and I’m not going down that path again and putting a month on it,” said Mike Rein, a spokesman for Lockheed Martin. “I will tell you very shortly in the scope of a 10-year program, we will be sending both AF-8 and AF-9 out to Eglin.”

Read it all but bet money that the usual suspects will be talking about missed delivery dates etc.  All I ask is that either Lockheed Martin or the USAF come out with an explanation of why this is 'taking longer than expected'...are we talking about the monster called bureaucracy creeping into the mix or is it an issue with the airplane.

Either way, you've been warned.  Expect an Alpha Strike from several blogs that you probably read all covering this subject.

This fucking sucks.

Bad news from Afghanistan people.  First this news release from ISAF.

ISAF Joint Command- Afghanistan
2011-07-S-008
For Immediate Release

KABUL, Afghanistan (July 04, 2011) – An International Security Assistance Force service member has been listed as duty status whereabouts unknown in southern Afghanistan.

There is an active search effort in progress.

It is ISAF policy to defer identification procedures of missing service members to the relevant national authorities.

I saw it first thing this morning and went over to the SKYNews website to get more info.  To be honest I was a bit outraged by what I thought I heard a newsman say...so I waited.  Then this came out this afternoon.

A British soldier who went missing from his base in southern Afghanistan has been found dead with gunshot wounds.

The serviceman's body was discovered by an Isaf patrol after a massive manhunt was launched.
He was reportedly last seen at a military checkpoint in the early hours of the morning, and Taliban groups have claimed responsibility for killing him.
Nato spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Tim Purbrick said: "He had suffered gunshot wounds.
"His exact cause of death is still to be established and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance and death are currently under investigation.
"It would not be appropriate to comment further at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."

Enjoy your 4th but remember the guys that are hookin & jabbin over in that worthless little country.

Kevin Martin 1 Flickr Stream.

Kevin Martin 1 has a Flickr stream that you must check out. 

Riverine Forces. You're doing it wrong.

Thanks to Resboiu, Maryus315, Jonathan and TLAM Strike.  Everyone seems to be a fan of the Romanian approach to riverine operations and I can see why...check these photos out from the RomaniaForum..

Lets compare notes...US Navy Riverine is below...

What exactly is the mission of the Riverine Forces again?  This from Wikipedia...

The Riverine Squadrons of the United States Navy are elements of the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC). According to the Navy: “The Navy’s Riverine force focuses on conducting Maritime Security Operations and Theater Security Cooperation in a riverine area of operations or other suitable area. The force is capable of combating enemy riverine forces by applying fires directly, or by coordinating supporting fires. It will share battle space with the other Services in an effort to close the seams in Doctrine, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures, and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.”^[1]

Lets break it down...

"Capable of battling enemy riverine forces"

Not bloody likely.  At least not as they're currently configured.  A quick glance reveals that potential enemy nations are using PT (Patrol Torpedo) type boats to conduct this mission....Fast Attack Craft if you want the modern designation.  Not only will these type boats out range US Riverine boats in weapons range but they'll also be as fast (in most cases).  If you're relying on the "coordinating supporting fires" part of the mission statement to get past this hurdle then you're whistling past the grave yard.  Gone are the days of the Sea Wolves.  The US Navy does not have dedicated attack helos anymore and even if they did I wonder how long it would take for help to arrive in a meeting engagement.

A Special Ops bias in weapons fit and equipment fit.

I totally get why SEAL Delivery Teams have selected their boats and their weapons fit.  The need to extract SEAL Teams in contact require the ability to put out a tremendous amount of firepower.  The need to rapidly arrive at a desired location and to leave at high speed makes sense.

It doesn't for a force that is operating in a certain area, interdicting enemy supply routes, smuggling etc.  The idea that Riverine Forces will conduct limited missions ashore is a mystery too.

Wrong mission, wrong equipment fit.

There has been one complaint waged against the big Navy that seems more and more valid.  They're so concerned with blue water operations that riverine and green water ops have suffered.  The war on terror should have been the excuse necessary to make the change.  What have they done instead?  The label a Frigate sized warship as a littoral combat vessel and ignore history.  The LCS concept would make sense if it was uparmed and called a Frigate instead.  The big Navy needs Frigates.

What the big Navy also needs is a blast from the past.  Patrol Boats.  Real deal littoral combat vessels.  You remember the type.  The type that John F. Kennedy rode into battle.  The kind that were taking on destroyers with success.  The kind that harassed the Japanese during WW2.  Thats what the Navy needs in the 21st century.

Want a kick in the guts?

The CB90 is about the right size for a Patrol Boat.  Its seriously under armed historically but size and speed wise it fits the bill.  I wouldn't look for Riverine to make the common sense move to larger platforms though.  It seems that the command has SEAL Team Delivery light on the brain.

Northcom getting its act together?

Joe sent me this article (thanks) with the remark that "maybe Northcom is getting its act together".

I would hope that was the case but the more I think about it the more it just seems to be inline with the Pentagon preparing for some unforeseen circumstance that will require a full bore military response.  The recent failures of Northcom to respond to flooding in the Midwest, tornadoes and the fires in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas should all point to them really not being a player when it comes to the numerous disasters that are plaguing us.

They're planning for massive, region wide disruptions.  Anything smaller and Northcom just isn't interested.  Read the story for yourself though but as always, here's a nugget.  Via Yahoo News.

No one commander had that authority in the aftermath of Katrina, and military and civilian experts say the lack of coordination contributed to the nightmarish delays, duplications and gaps in the huge rescue effort.
"It was just like a solid wall was between the two entities," said Georgia National Guard Col. Michael Scholes, who was part of the Katrina response.
Top Defense Department officials believe dual-status commanders are the key to reducing at least some of those failures.

"We're going to be able to conduct disaster response operations on a large scale much more efficiently and effectively than we have in the past," said Paul Stockton, assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense.

Dual-status commanders will provide a "unity of effort that is going to save lives on a large scale," Stockton said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Yep.

A tornado that destroys a medium sized city in the heartland isn't what they're prepping for.  Fires sweeping across the plains of Texas and the foothills in Arizona are beneath their notice too.  This is for something else entirely.

Two-Year Point for U.S. Soldier in Captivity

via ISAF.

ISAF Headquarters Public Affairs Office- Afghanistan
For Immediate Release
2011-06-CA-008

KABUL, Afghanistan (June 30, 2011) – Today marks two years that Sergeant Bowe W. Bergdahl has been in captivity. Sgt. Bergdahl, from Hailey, Idaho, was discovered missing during his unit’s roll-call in Afghanistan on June 30, 2009.

Sgt. Bergdahl was declared Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) on July 1, 2009, and his status was changed to "Missing-Captured” on July 3, 2009. Sgt Bergdahl is a member of the 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska. The U.S. Army recently announced his promotion to sergeant on June 12, marking his second promotion since his capture. He was promoted to the rank of specialist on June 12, 2010.

“Ever since SGT Bergdahl’s capture, U.S. and ISAF forces have made it a top priority to find him and bring him home safely to his family,” said Rear Admiral Vic Beck, Director of ISAF Public Affairs. “We will continue in our effort to ensure his safe return. On this important anniversary particularly, our thoughts and prayers are with Sgt Bergdahl and his loved ones.”

The story of this guys capture is confusing. 

He says he was straggling on patrol and captured, CNN reports that he got drunk off base.  Either way, I hope we get him back safely.

US Special Operations...WAAAAAAY too big.

According to Admiral Olson's prepared statement to the Senate Armed Services Committee on March 1st of this year, the US Special Operations Command has 60,000 personnel assigned to it.

Take a deep breath.  Hold it in and say it out loud.


60,000 persons.


That's bigger than the 82nd Airborne, 101st Airborne, 10th Mountain and 2nd Infantry Divisions combined.

Just something to chew on.

Russian Gun Support River Boats.

I'm starting to fall in love with English Russia.  There latest entry is about Russian Gun Support River Boats.  I don't know anything about how they employ them but if I were to guess I would bet that its almost akin to the way our Riverine Forces operate.

UPDATE*
Spudman WP confirmed that the gun at the front of the ship is from the ancient PT-76.  This brings up some interesting contrast with the way that US Navy Riverine units are equipped.  Not only is the Russian design more heavily armed but it also appears to have a smaller crew.  If this boat were to come in contact with US Riverine forces and those forces had no or tardy support the results might be in doubt.  Maybe Riverine units should equip with Javelin anti-tank missiles in addition to their standard kit.  It would give them added punch against shore bunkers, Gun Support River Boats and enemy monitors if the concept is revived somewhere.

F-35A AF-10 And AF-11 First Flights

The fifth and sixth production models of the F-35 Lightning II, F-35A AF-10 and AF-11, completed their inaugural flights on 29 June and 1 July 2011, respectively, from NAS Fort Worth JRB. (AF-11 first flight shown in photo.)

Syrian Tanks attack another village. US stays quiet.

Don't get me wrong.

The absolute last thing the US needs to be involved in is another conflict.  But we need a bit of clarity when it comes to our foreign policy.

We attacked Libya because he threatened to attack his people.

The Syrians are rampaging through the countryside and we're looking slack eyed and silly.

I don't get it.

via ASDNews.

NICOSIA - Syrian troops backed by tanks swept into new villages in the northwestern province of Idlib, a rights activist told AFP in Nicosia.

Around 60 tanks and armoured personnel carriers rumbled into two villages in the countryside of Idlib, said Rami Abdel Rahman of the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Abdel Rahman said the troops were exiting from the village of Al-Bara when they split into two units, one heading towards the village of Kafr Nabl and the other to the village of Kansafra.

The operation comes a day after Syrian forces killed 10 civilians who opened fire as they stormed villages in the district of Jabal al-Zawiyah to quash dissent against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, activists said.

Oh and don't think that this is a new development.  The Syrians have been roughing up its civilians for weeks now and little to nothing has been done about it.

Kind of makes you wonder what the real truth is behind the attacks in Libya.

Marine Special Ops. A capability the Marine Corps can't afford and the nation doesn't need.

Via Military.com

Currently the number of MarSoc Marines stands at about 1,000 — drawing mostly from the Force Recon community but also from some high-speed infantry guys and other intel-centric MOSs. Hejlik said he sees the force growing to about 5,000, or about as many SEALs in the Navy.

and this...

The general also said he envisions the Corps establishing a separate air wing to support MarSoc missions — a controversial gap when the units were established back in 2006. But he admitted that given current budget realities, it’s going to “take some time” for the service to eek out the cash to buy planes for the Leatherneck snake-eaters.

I mean seriously.

What the fuck is the General thinking?

The idea that the Marine Corps could possibly drop down to an end strength of 150, 000 to a high of 175,000 Marines and then allocate up to 5,000 Marines for Special Operations is crazy.  If you add in aircraft like the General is talking about then you have a Marine Special Forces Expeditionary Brigade sized unit.

That's insane.

No knock on Marine Special Ops but what mission are they doing that isn't already accomplished by Navy SEALs, Army Special Forces, Army Rangers or the tier one units Delta or SEAL Team 6?

Rummy forced the Marine Corps into Special Ops.  It was mistake then and its a mistake now.  The Marine Corps can't afford the loss of talent or the disruptions this brings to the Infantry MOS.

On a side note, while the bean counters are out looking to slash the military in general, I'd love for someone to do a cost benefit analysis of Special Operations forces.  With a force of over 50,000 people in SOCOM, is it really the size that the nation wants and needs or should it be down sized.

31st MEU Boat Company Training.

KIN BLUE, OKINAWA, Japan-Marines with Company F, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to board the USS Tortuga during launch and recovery operations June 28. Once onboard the Tortuga, the Marines turned the boats around and returned to the water., Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr., 6/28/2011 2:59 AM

KIN BLUE, OKINAWA, Japan-A Marine with Company F, communicates with the USS Tortuga via radio as his boat heads through the surf to White Beach Naval Facility June 28. The Marines and USS Tortuga conducted launch and recovery operations to better equip the Marines for their job once aboard ship., Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr., 6/28/2011 2:25 AM

KIN BLUE, OKINAWA, Japan-The Combat Rubber Raiding Craft is the boat of choice for the Raiders of Company F. The Marines used the boats to conduct launch and recovery operations June 28., Cpl. Anthony Ward Jr., 6/28/2011 4:47 AM

The flip side of my call for across the board cuts in spending...including defense.

I'm not a Republican, I'm a conservative.  A conservative with libertarian leanings.

I've had many conversations with buddies and the general agreement is an across the board cut of 10% in the Federal budget with an accompanying freeze in increases for at least 10 years would be a good start to solving the deficit issue.

The problem with this type of thinking (my type of thinking) is the unintended consequences of such actions.  And there are alot of unintended consequences going on right now.

The President has called for even deeper defense cuts.  The services will respond with cutting people first then it'll start axing procurement...we're already seeing the groundwork laid for that.

The problem is....people build all those fancy widgets and if we act without full realization of those consequences then we could sink an already sick economy.

Exhibit number one from Defense News.

Lockheed Martin announced June 30 that it would eliminate approximately 1,500 jobs from its Aeronautics business. The cuts represent a 5 percent reduction in its workforce of about 28,000 employees located at sites in six states.
"We're taking what we think are bold and responsible actions given the defense environment," said Joe Stout, a spokesperson for the company's Aeronautics division.

The cuts come as part of a larger effort to curb costs and maintain affordability, Stout said.
"Our customers around the world are facing greater pressure, and we know we need to respond," he added.

Tomorrow the Dow Jones average will plummet.  What should an individual do?

My recommendation.

Keep it dry and stack it deep.  This (the economy) is going to get much nastier before it gets better.

Totally overblown nonsense.

Christian Lowe has an article over at Military.com that is completely overblown and I know he knows it.  I cringed when I saw the headline and then when I read the article, I knew exactly what it was.

IT'S THE ARMY SPECIAL OPERATIONS VERSION OF FEMALE ENGAGEMENT TEAMS.  A concept that the Marine Corps has been using for many, many months now.  Here's the kicker but read the whole thing.

So far, nearly 30 of the female CST Soldiers are deployed to the war zone, working in villages and towns that the commandos have cleared.
"They're supposed to be used on secure target areas," Sacolick said. "I don't want them fighting their way to a target."

I don't want them fighting their way to a target....Sacolick was playing it straight but Lowe took it over the top with his title..."Female Special Operators Now in Combat"....Lowe is better than this.  

Just the facts bro, just the facts.

Funny in a political way.

Morning Joe just got on my watch list.

If this is what the President's friends think then I'd hate to see what his enemies are saying.

Wow.

1,000th F-35 Flight.

Lt. Col. Leonard Kearl was at the controls for the 1,000th F-35 flight on 20 June 2011. The 1.8-hour flight, completed in F-35A AF-6, originated from Edwards AFB, California.

Wow.

Do I hear cries of agony from certain parts of Australia? 

Is a certain "Think Tank" (Air Power Australia) rethinking its positions???

Doubtful, but they should.

F-35B undergoes NERF testing.

NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. -- F-35B test aircraft BF-4 rests the evening of June 21 after a day of testing at the Naval Electromagnetic Radiation Facility. BF-4 is undergoing testing which simulates the shipboard electromagnetic environment to identify any potential issues prior to at sea testing this fall on USS Wasp (LHD 1). The F-35B is the short take-off, vertical landing variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter for the U.S. Marine Corps and international partners and is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.

Pics of the day. June 30, 2011.

LA(Phot) Luis Holden won the Navy News Award in the 2011 Peregrine Trophy Photographic Competition with this image.
A Joint Force Harrier jet is pictured high over RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus shortly before the iconic aircraft was decommissioned.
Photographer: LA(Phot)Luis Holden

The Commandant General Royal Marines' Prize in the Peregrine Trophy 2011 competition went to LA(Phot) Si Ethell fora portfolio including this image.
The FSG (Fire Support Group) of Charlie Company 40 Commando Royal Marines, at FOB (Forward Operating Base) Jackson in Afghanistan engaging insurgents following contact at PB (Patrol Base) Paylae.
Photographer: LA(Phot) Si Ethell