If you thought "planking" was idiotic..check out "cone-ing"

This stupidity is suppose to be the new planking!  Geez!  And this douche bag has 6 million hits on YouTube!  Amazing.

*Spare me the drama about me spreading word of this new "craze"...I thought some might find it interesting, even if its insane.

Joke of the day....

The Arizona Department of Safety Officer pulled over pick-up truck owner Mike Murray for a weapons check because of an NRA bumper sticker.
When the officer approached the vehicle, the man behind the wheel handed the officer his driver's license, insurance card and concealed carry permit.

The officer took all the documents, looked them over and said, "Mr. Murray, I see you have a CCP. Do you have any weapons with you?"

The driver replied, "Yes I do. I have a 357 handgun in a hip holster, a .45 in the glove box and a .22 derringer in my boot."

The officer looked at Mike and asked, "Anything else?"

"Yes. I have a Mossberg 500 12 gauge and an AR-15 in the trunk."

The officer asked if the man was driving to or from a shooting range and the man said he wasn't, so the officer bent over and looked into the driver's face and said "Mr. Murray, you're carrying quite a few guns. May I ask what you are afraid of?"

Mike locked eyes with the officer and calmly answered, "Not a friggin’ thing".

Was Mike Sparks on to something?

This post was going to be a little look back at the CH-54 and compare its cargo pod to the standardized shipping containers of today and to look at how it could be used to expedite the movement of specific, pre-loaded cargo from the sea base to the shore.

THINK DEFENSE is a big fan of the containers and has written extensively on the movement once they reach shore...but he doesn't cover the movement of these containers by air.

But then it dawned on me.  A madman by the name of Mike Sparks once had an idea to remove the body from the CH-53E and basically add elongated landing gear making a modern day, but more powerful CH-54.

The guy was super anti-Marine Corps and I tossed his idea because of that.

In hindsight, he might have been on to something.  I've spent time on the way back machine trying to find the particular article but gave up since my time for researching this is short.  Suffice it to say that the crazy idea of making a "new" CH-54 based on the more powerful CH-53E (or even better the CH-53K) might have merit.

I don't know how much weight you would lose if you removed the troop cabin from the airframe but I would bet money that it wouldn't be much of an engineering challenge and would allow for the magical 30,000 pound threshold to at least become semi-reachable

So here's to you Mike Sparks...where ever you are.  You're a madman.  You're crazy.  And I believe you were ahead of your time.

Marines take part in new swim qual

I luv how the Marine Corps talks about things being 'rigorous' instead of a damn kick in the nuts.  How its 'challenging' instead of a puke invoking experience.  I've been watching the requirements for the new swim qual and while it may be easier than the previous one for basic qualification I can assure you for a 1st class rating you're going to work your ass off!  Oh and a side note for the anchor...shave off that nasty fuzz over your lip!

29th Commandos finish operations in Helmand province

All photos by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Chandler.  On a different note, please observe the first photo.  I notice that the USMC and now the British military is all the rage about taking these type of photos.  Action pics I can understand but these posed photos give me the creeps.  I get the impression that they're suppose to be used in the newspaper if you're every mortally wounded.  Maybe its just me but I'd love to hear an explanation of why they're suddenly such a "in" way of doing things.

UH-1Y Venom Special Patrol Insertion/Extraction (SPIE) Demo

Pic of the day. 09/15/2011

Out the door

Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team exit a C-17 Globemaster III during an airborne training exercise Sept. 10, 2011, at Fort Bragg, N.C. The yellow cord, called a static line, deploys the paratroopers parachute automatically, which is important since the paratroopers are jumping at only 800 feet above ground level. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod

Question.  At 800 feet is a reserve chute even deploy-able if your main malfunctions?  I know they're jumping Hollywood but still...why wear it if it can't help?

Sea Gripen presentation to the Indian Navy

Many thanks to JJ (not Jack Jack from Ares Blog) for pointing me to Livefist Blog.  Go there for the complete slides.

An explanation. SNAFU!'s coverage of Dakota Meyer Medal of Honor winner.

I want to take a second to explain why I haven't been blasting news of Dakota Meyer's soon to be awarded Medal of Honor here on SNAFU!

Understand that I'm extremely proud of the man and am in awe of his actions on that fateful day.

But also understand that while searching for information on him and his award I ran into something that I've rarely run into on Marine Corps websites.

They practically embargoed the news and I got the impression that they wanted tight control over how the news was presented...you either went to an official Marine Corps website or you weren't going to get the news. By the formatting of the stories to the design of the articles that was my sincere impression. I could be wrong but again that was my impression.

With that in mind I decided to let the Marine Corps run with the story and everyone that was truly interested could find it there.

That was about a month ago. Recently the reigns have been loosened and they appear to have reversed themselves and are going all out to publicize the upcoming event.

Right or wrong I was miffed by HQMC's actions on this. 

Compare it to the 11th MEU's Public Affairs Office handling of their training for an upcoming deployment.  They're practically taking the public along for the ride.  But they appear to be more of the exception rather than the rule.  Information about units down range is hard to come by.  You get the fluff pieces of Marines building roads, schools or bridges but info about combat operations is more than hard to come by....its literally hit or miss.

Enough bitching.  I'm proud of Meyer.  I'm pleased that he's being recognized for his actions  I just wish that HQMC was handling this with a bit more awareness of the need to educate the public of what her Marines are doing.

Space Porn...NASA's new heavy lift rocket.

Tigre beauty shots...

Pic of the day. 9/14/2011

Photo by LCpl Ryan Carpenter

11th MEU begins second sea period since becoming a MAGTF

Light Combat Tactical - All Terrain Vehicle

LATV_Bro_9-9-2011

31st MEU trains for airfield seizure..

Rangers----82nd Airborne---watch out------we're training to do your mission....all photos by 2nd Lt. Dave Baugh

Marines from Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, unload from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (Reinforced), also with the MEU, during a mock airfield seizure here, Sept. 9. The helicopter raid exercise is part of a series of training events to prepare the 31st MEU for its upcoming deployment.

Marines from Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare to breach and secure a room during a mock airfield seizure here Sept. 9. This helicopter raid exercise, which integrates both the air combat element and the battalion landing team of the 31st MEU, is part of a series of training events to prepare the Marines for its upcoming deployment.

Marines from Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, are extracted by a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter, part of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265(Reinforced) during a mock airfield seizure here, Sept. 9. The helicopter raid exercise is part of a series of training events to prepare the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit for upcoming deployment.

Marines from Company E, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, assault the airfield here during a mock seizure, Sept. 9. The helicopter raid exercise is part of a series of training events to prepare the 31st MEU for its upcoming deployment.

Pic of the day. One wrong step and you're a medivac...

U.S. Army Soldiers begin their descent from the summit of "Big Nasty," a mountain in Paktika province, Afghanistan, Sept. 8, 2011. The soldiers are assigned to Company C, 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade. The unit was on a joint mission with the Afghan army and border patrol in the mountains near the Pakistan border. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Ken Scar

 

 

Wow.

Terrible terrain. 

A challenging patrol problem.

Mountains suck but at least its not winter...

It feels....off....

Is it me or does something seem off about the remembrance events that are being held around the nation with regards to the 9/11 attack?

Its not political.

Its not regional.

Its not a statement about the times that we live in (at least I don't think that it is)...but something about it seems --- not real ---- almost artificial.

I won't forget the events of that day.  I will always remember where I was when I got word of the attack.

But I also can't shake the feeling that this is more of an orchestrated rather than heartfelt occasion.

I could easily be wrong though and if I am wrong then good.  But if I'm right...

*UPDATE*

Now I know why this feels off to me.  Its because the story as we're being told it, is incomplete.  There is alot more to be said about the events of that day...there are still people AND nations that should be held accountable and we haven't done it.

What do I mean?

Check out this article from BlackFive.

The public knows who the skyjackers were but knows little about their support teams in country nor the nations which sponsored them. All of that needs to be exposed and the people involved hunted down and killed. And that trail will lead back to Saudi Arabia, the author of this religious war of terror.

Am I saying that we should declare war on Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Iran?  No.  Am I saying that we can't have a proper remembrance event until we're honest with ourselves about who was behind these attacks?  Yes!  We need to have an adult conversation about this and we're not even close yet.

Combat Camera getting high speed...

Combat cameraman Cpl. Tripp Ainsworth descends 35 feet down a thick plaited roped rigged to a helicopter parked on the amphibious assault ship Makin Island at sea miles off Southern California’s coast Sept 8. The 23-year-old Jacksonville, Fla., native – who serves with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s command element – practiced insertion techniques with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the unit’s ground combat element. The unit is conducting a second sea-based exercise since becoming a complete Marine-air ground task force in May. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tommy Huynh)

Combat cameraman Cpl. Tripp Ainsworth descends 35 feet down a thick plaited rope rigged to a helicopter parked on the amphibious assault ship Makin Island at sea miles off Southern California’s coast Sept 8. The 23-year-old Jacksonville, Fla., native – who serves with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s command element – practiced insertion techniques with Battalion Landing Team 3/1, the unit’s ground combat element. The unit is conducting a second sea-based exercise since becoming a complete Marine-air ground task force in May. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tommy Huynh)

MAGPUL Angled Foregrip on USMC Close Combat Tactics Course!

Click on the pic to expand it and I do believe you'll see the edges of the MAGPUL AFG on this weapon.

MAGPUL is taking over!  I can't believe it.  The most doctrine based, gear standardized organization in the US military is seeing a type of "wildcat" whatever makes you shoot better idea view creep into the very essence of the Corps.

Combat Marksmanship will never be the same.

Hey Gunners, you want to get a handle on this?  Instead of fixing what isn't broken (the SAW ... which you're gonna replace with the modern day BAR---the IAR) how about you get this under control?

Get a decent stock on the M4 and M16A4 family....while you're at it how about you decide whether we're going to go with a carbine (like the Army) or whether we're going to get a redone M16A4 with a shorter barrel, adjustable stock etc???

Until you Gunners do your darn jobs, Marines in the field will do it for you.  In the meantime, congratulations MAGPUL, seems to me like you've got fans in the Corps..from your Magazines, to your AFG, you guys are taking over!

Close Quarters Tactics Course

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines dash 25-yards before firing in the stand and kneeling in 11 seconds during the Special Operations Training Group’s Close Quarters Tactics course Aug. 31, on Stone Bay’s Multi Purpose Range. The course is part of a pipeline of courses, conducted by SOTG, meant to prepare the Marines for the missions they may conduct while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit., Sgt. Richard Blumenstein, 8/31/2011 7:26 AM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-A Marine practices a speed reload during the Special Operations Training Group’s Close Quarters Tactics course Aug. 31, on Stone Bay’s Multi Purpose Range. The course is part of a pipeline of courses, conducted by SOTG, meant to prepare the Marines for the missions they may conduct while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit., Sgt. Richard Blumenstein, 8/31/2011 6:16 AM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines fire their weapons during a timed drill as part of the Special Operations Training Group’s Close Quarters Tactics course Aug. 31, on Stone Bay’s Multi Purpose Range. The course is part of a pipeline of courses, conducted by SOTG, meant to prepare the Marines for the missions they may conduct while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit., Sgt. Richard Blumenstein, 8/31/2011 4:51 AM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Chief Petty Officer 1st Class Lee Boujie, a special amphibious reconnaissance corpsman with the 24th MEU’s Force Reconnaissance Platoon, scans the area after shooting a drill during the Special Operations Training Group’s Close Quarters Tactics course Aug. 31, on Stone Bay’s Multi Purpose Range. The course is part of a pipeline of courses, conducted by SOTG, meant to prepare the Marines for the missions they may conduct while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit., Sgt. Richard Blumenstein, 8/31/2011 4:54 AM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Private First Class Bobby Dale, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, waits to receive the command for the next set of drills during the Special Operations Training Group’s Close Quarters Tactics course Aug. 31, on Stone Bay’s Multi Purpose Range. The course is part of a pipeline of courses, conducted by SOTG, meant to prepare the Marines for the missions they may conduct while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit., Sgt. Richard Blumenstein, 8/31/2011 5:11 AM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Private First Class Bobby Dale, a rifleman with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, fires during a timed drill, as part of the Special Operations Training Group’s Close Quarters Tactics course Aug. 31, on Stone Bay’s Multi Purpose Range. The course is part of a pipeline of courses, run by SOTG, meant to prepare the Marines for the missions they may conduct while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit., Sgt. Richard Blumenstein, 8/31/2011 5:12 AM

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-Marines fire their weapons during a timed drill as part of the Special Operations Training Group’s Close Quarters Tactics course Aug. 31, on Stone Bay’s Multi Purpose Range. The course is part of a pipeline of courses, conducted by SOTG, meant to prepare the Marines for the missions they may conduct while deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit., Sgt. Richard Blumenstein, 8/31/2011 5:49 AM