F-35 Critics take it over the top.

ELP over at his blog has gone off the deep end when it comes to his critique of the F-35 program.  Why?  Because he uses the death of this unfortunate man to high light his disagreement with the program.  Check this out...

A South African farmer has been mauled to death by his pet hippo, after he was warned repeatedly that the animal was dangerous and could never be tamed.
Marius Els, 40, once described six-year-old Humphrey the Hippo as being "like a son" to him but was viciously attacked and killed by the beast over the weekend.
Els was bitten to death by the 1.2 tonne Humphrey and dragged underwater in the same river where he rescued the hippo as a calf.
Humphrey had become an internet sensation earlier this year after footage of Els riding and swimming with him became a hit on YouTube.
"Humphrey's like a son to me, he's just like a human," Els said at the time. "There's a relationship between me and Humphrey and that's what some people don't understand. They think you can only have a relationship with dogs, cats and domestic animals. But I have a relationship with the most dangerous animal in Africa."
However, Els was not unaware of the danger that came with petting a dangerous animal that can move at nearly 50 km/hr.
"Humphrey could rip a man my size apart with no problem - it's a little bit dangerous," he had said.
Humphrey also showed signs it was not as friendly as Els thought.
South African media reported that he chased a 52-year-old man and his seven-year-old grandson up a tree and killed calves that belonged to Els's business partner.
He also broke out of its enclosure often and chased golfers at the local golf club.

Over the top much?  Yeah.  Rabid hatred of a program?  Yeah.  Using the death of a fellow human being to advance your agenda?  Yeah and thats why this is so fucked up.

Disagree all you want but to use a persons death as a punchline to highlight your disagreement is just beyond the pale.

Shock Troopers! Too funny!

Pic of the day. Nov 15, 2011

A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook takes off from Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Nov 5, 2011.
177th Fighter Wing – NJ Air National Guard
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht

US Special Ops focuses on raids, Israel focuses on deep recon.

Jonathan sent me this article (thanks guy) on an Israeli plan to possibly combine several Israeli Special Ops teams into one unit.  via Defense News Electronic Edition.

Israel May Merge Units For Far-flung Missions

By BARBARA OPALL-ROME TEL AVIV

— Israeli military leaders may merge several historically autonomous elite commando units into a single special operations force oriented to multidisciplinary missions far from Israel’s borders. The proposed force, known among a small circle of senior officers here as Deep Corps, is one of several organizational and conceptual upgrades under review in response to escalating threats and instability anticipated in a rapidly changing region.

As the democratic winds of the “Arab spring” turn into what many here pejoratively call the Islamic winter, Israeli military leaders are making worst-case contingency plans for high-intensity war on multiple fronts, and for the prospect of bold, increasingly long-range preemptive special operations.

Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of staff, directed a review of the pros and cons of establishing the unified Deep Corps special operations force. Details of the study, led by Maj. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, a former head of operations and commander of Israel’s Northern Command, have not yet been presented to Gantz for approval.

According to one member of the General Staff, the idea is to merge Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s premier General Staff reconnaissance unit; Navy SEALs (Flotilla 13); the Air Force’s Shaldag target designation unit and 669 airborne search and rescue force into a single com­mand structure subordinate to the IDF chief of General Staff.

Under the plan, each elite unit would re­tain its unique capabilities, but the consoli­dated command would encourage a holistic, less competitive, collaborative approach to mission planning and training. Proponents argue this will allow a more seamless and ul­timately effective operational force.
“We’re talking about an organizational change that impacts planning, training and chain of command, not budget,” said the IDF general officer.

He noted that the proposed Deep Corps special operations force supports a new op­erational concept coalescing within the IDF called “the operational arena between wars.” Under this new concept, the IDF must be prepared to intensify counterterror, anti­smuggling, anti-proliferation and other op­erations beyond its immediate and interme­diate circles of enemy states to the so-called outer circle of threats.
Israel’s military censor did not allow ref­erence to these outer circle states, but for­eign sources have defined them to include Iran and countries lining the Gulf of Aden.

“Before all these changes in the region, the IDF fluctuated between planning for war and fighting wars in parallel to our routine anti-terror operations,” the officer said. “But in the new reality, we understand that there is also a war between wars … and this is much more quiet and extends to much wider circles.”

- from the electronic version of DefenseNews.com

 So while the rest of the Western world, including the US continues to transform all of our units into Rangers...and by that I mean all raids, all the time...the Israeli's see the benefit in having their Special Ops Units be able to perform what I contend is the most difficult of all Special Ops missions.  Deep Recon into hostile territory.

What I don't get is why you would attach the Search and Rescue Unit into this proposed unit.  The only thing that actually makes sense in that regard is if this unit actually going after Iranian Nuke sites and they are also being tasked with not only designating targets but also rescue of aircrew.  This bears watching.

Death from 80,000 feet...

Fire-Breathing Dragon Lady

At several points over the career of the U-2 high altitude reconnaissance aircraft, Lockheed engineers have looked at the possibility of arming the Dragon Lady. This photo, circa 1965, shows a U-2R model in the Lockheed low speed wind tunnel in Burbank, California, with various air-to-air missiles and free-fall munitions on fourteen hardpoints under the wings.

I don't what madman at Lockheed Martin came up with this idea but the thought of a 1000 pound bomb dropping from 80,000 feet onto a target is enough to give me pause.

With the F-22 fans all atwitter about the advantage of operating at high altitude, imagine a spyplane flying another 30,000 feet above the max ceiling of most fighters (without the pilots in those fighters having to wear spacesuits) raining AMRAAMs at them and you have a MIG killer from hell.

That is if super high flight is actually an advantage in aerial combat.

Anyway, as usual, someone already thought to try.

Japan impressed with the F-35's stealth.

That's right.  Japan is impressed with the F-35's stealth!  Read it and weep critics.  via the Telegraph.

Defence analysts monitoring the three-way dogfight for the multi-billion contract say Tokyo has been impressed with the stealth technology of the Lockheed Martin F-35, which will enable it to carry out clandestine monitoring of Chinese, North Korean and Russian military assets in the region.

It also remains indebted to Washington for the assistance the US military provided in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake.

"Even before March 11 there were many factors in favour of the F-35, but since then that national security relationship between the two governments has become much closer," one analyst with knowledge of the bidding told The Daily Telegraph.

A couple of points.

*Typhoon makers are prepping share holders for another loss

*The Japanese government is properly reading the tea leaves and realizes that Washington is finally had enough of the yearly protest by Japanese citizens about US bases.

*China has over played its "nationalist" card and has alarmed governments up and down the Pacific Rim pushing them further into the US camp.

*Advanced weapons are great but without a policy to back up those arms sales (like mutual defense treaties) it becomes difficult to make the sale.

Lastly, this is just another in a series of great news stories for the F-35.  The year started off shaky but is ending with nothing but success.

JSOW can be internally carried by the F-35.

via Defense Talk.com

DUBAI: Raytheon Company  has completed a fit check of the Joint Standoff Weapon in the internal carriage bay of the Joint Strike Fighter aircraft."The capabilities of the JSF combined with JSOW C-1's ability to precisely engage moving ships at sea from standoff ranges would give the U.S. and coalition warfighter a powerful capability," said Cmdr. Samuel Hanaki, U.S. Navy JSOW deputy program manager.During the fit check, Raytheon technicians loaded a JSOW shape in the JSF's internal carriage bay and conducted a series of tests to prove the bay door could close properly without damaging the aircraft or the weapon."JSOW C-1 is the world's first net-enabled standoff weapon that can engage a moving maritime target," said Phyllis McEnroe, JSOW program director for Raytheon Missile Systems. "With its more than 110 kilometer range (68 statute miles) and tunnel defeat capability, JSOW C-1 will give members of the JSF a critical capability no other weapon can provide."

And that almost makes it a wrap.  The critics will howl but this program has had a pretty spectacular month and half...every negative news story is sounding like desperation from the nay sayers....its just that obvious.  Another F-35 win, more tears and fretting from Typhoon, Rafael and Gripen...and best of all for the allies, a stable, funded and predictable upgrade path for their next multi-role fighter.

Let's talk stacks....

I said lets talk stacks, but I should say lets talk about the US military's form of room clearing.

Is it dynamic?

Not as taught.

So what is it properly called.

Deliberate room clearing.

Its slow.  Methodical.  Civilian casualty averse.

But its not dynamic.  Its not designed to prevent US casualties.  It designed to dot the i's and cross the t's for the lawyers.  But I look forward to hearing what others have to say on this subject.  My contention is that stacks against a properly equipped and motivated enemy will get our people killed.  It is a hold over from the bad old days of the 70's when everyone was practicing to rescue hostages.  It originated in civilian law enforcement and that's where it should stay.  I don't have the answer to a better way but (yes I'm repeating myself) it will get our people killed if we keep doing it the way we are.

But that's my opinion.  What's yours.

UPDATE.  Historical Comparison.

My blog so its my world.  Let's compare the situations in two different battlefields.  Hue City and Fallujah.

Both battles highlighted extensive house to house fighting.  Brutal combat at close ranges.  Both had (at least for a while in the case of Hue City) extreme prohibitions on the amount of firepower that could be applied to enemy fortifications.  Long story short, two different battles, somewhat similar tactics used by enemy forces yet the casualty figures (according to Wikipedia...yeah I know) are still somewhat similar (no disrespect to those that were injured or to the families of those who lost there lives...just looking at tactics, I request your patience with me on this).

How similar were the battles...both featured enemy snipers, machine gun positions, suicide bombers, enemy combatants surrendering and then attacking, and even enemy combatants playing dead and then attacking.

Yet the vaunted stack did not lessen our casualty count and I contend raised it.

US Navy/Marines set to buy British GR9's!

via Defense News.

WASHINGTON and LONDON - Britain has agreed to sell all of its 74 decommissioned Harrier jump jets, along with engines and spare parts, to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps - a move expected to help the Marines operate Harriers into the mid-2020s and provide extra planes to replace aging two-seat F-18D Hornet strike fighters....


"I don't think it will be costly to rip out the Brit systems" and replace them with Marine gear, said Lon Nordeen, author of several books on the Harrier.
Nordeen noted that the British GR 9 and 9As are similar in configuration to the Marines' AV-8B night attack version, which make up about a third of U.S. Harriers. The British planes also are night planes dedicated to air-ground attack, he said, and while both types carry Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensors, neither is fitted with a multimode radar such as the APG-65 carried by U.S. AV-8B+ models.
The absence of the big radar, Nordeen said, makes the GR 9A and AV-8Bs "a better-performing plane. Weighing less, it's more of a hot rod."

This is beyond good news but is it signalling something?

What I mean is this...these airplanes are going to replace F/A-18D's.  Those planes are part of the rotation to the carriers...does this mean that advance planning is going on to lower the number of big deck aircraft carriers?  Just a thought.   Correction.  F/A-18D's don't deploy on carriers (thanks for the correction LouG).  So what's the deal?  LouG points out that Fast FAC is about to take a serious hit because these are the planes that perform that role.  My next thought is that with the exception of the F/A-18A/C, the USMC will be an almost all STOVL force.  What's going to take the place of the F/A-18D in the Fast FAC role?  I have no idea but its going to be mean a serious change in the Ground Combat Elements tactics.  In the assault the Marine Corps usually keeps its artillery on the march relying on its jets to provide the airborne artillery...if you remember the Marine General in charge of the assault into Kuwait implored his pilots to go after Iraqi artillery...he said the grunts could handle the tanks...he just wanted them to take out the artillery...will the Harrier be able to perform Fast FAC????

Sidenote:

You just have to know the Brits are beyond pissed at this news...we're getting their jets for fire sale prices...Thanks Think Defence and the British people!

UPDATE:

LouG brought an observation on the purchase of these aircraft to take the place of the F/A-18D's and I misunderstood his statement.  Consider this a public apology.  In the seat experience...been there done that experience...operational experience is always appreciated.

Pic of the day. Nov 13, 2011.

Fort Worth, Texas, native Lance Cpl. Trey Woodward, a machine-gunner with 3rd Platoon, Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, patrols next to a small canal. Woodward has enjoyed a sense of camaraderie shared with Marines form his platoon that one can only attain though combat. "Being (an infantryman) has its ups and downs," said Woodward. "(The best part is) you get to spend time with your brothers."

Chris Costa talks about his custom S&W...

Seems like this trend toward electronic sights on pistols is really starting to take off.  Might be time to take a good look at it. 

I wonder if this is another civilian started move that the military will adopt?

US Marines and Australian Navy's LHD.

Thinking more and more about the USMC's move to northern Australia and the training opportunities that provides.

One thing everyone seems to be overlooking is the opportunity to network with not only the Australian Army but also its Navy.  Imagine the shock in China if they ever see a USMC MEU partially embarked aboard an Australian Navy LHD?

What's going on with the BAE/Iveco Defense SuperAV 8x8???

Ok.

I need your help.

I'm ready to declare the BAE/Iveco SuperAV 8x8 vapor ware.

I see plenty of nice mock ups....I see it at exhibits and shows....but I haven't seen it anywhere.

Have you?  I heard a rumor that it was at Pendleton doing tests but haven't been able to run it down.  Sent a letter to BAE but they ignore/don't respond.  I even asked Sean over at Aviation Week to hook me up with one of his European reporters to see if he heard anything.  Nothing.  No news.  No sightings...nothing.

Is this vehicle still in play or has Iveco packed its bags and stepped away from the competition?

1st Serial HAD French Tigre Attack Helicopter

Beware of Imposters.

Beware of imposters!

Imposters.

Never thought that it would happen on military focused blogs.  But this F-35 discussion seems to bring out the troll in the worst of people.

Fellow Blogger SMSgt Mac faced an imposter over at Defense Tech.  SMSgt Mac has been pretty much neutral on the issue of the F-35.  What he has done that's brought this attention is the fact that he's been able to reliably and effectively call bullshit when false statements are made.

You can't switch between different accounting systems with this guy and get his eyes rolling with madness at the minutiae of it all.  He's able to easily keep up and refute the bastards at every turn.

So consider this an official apology to SMSgt Mac at Elements of Power.  I should have known better.

Hey Aussies!..the US Marines are coming!

via Defense News.

SYDNEY - U.S. President Barack Obama will use a visit to Australia next week to announce that America will begin stationing Marines at a base in Darwin, reports said on Nov. 11.
In a front page exclusive, the Sydney Morning Herald said the new permanent military presence was a sign of heightened concern about the rise of China.

This has been a long time in coming but if I remember my geography correctly, it seems like the Marines have found a 29 Palms west....only with a bunch of critters that can kill ya.

But seriously, it would appear that the move toward the Pacific has begun in earnest...next step?  Get outta Japan so we don't have to hear the nationals crying about us being there.

Happy Birthday Marines!

Happy Birthday Marine Corps!


Happy Birthday Marines!

RAF Chinook Helicopters Take Off on a Mission Over Helmand, Afghanistan

Photograph shows Royal Air Force Chinook Mk2 helicopters from 1310 Flight taking off from Camp Bastion airfield in Helmand, Afghanistan, while a US Air Force Blackhawk helicopter waits to land.

The Joint Helicopter Force (AFGHANISTAN) or JHF (A) is a deployed tri-Service unit from the Joint Helicopter Command. Its primary purpose is to facilitate tactical mobility, reconnaissance and Aviation Fires support to the UK task force in Helmand Province and to the multi-national force of Regional Command (South). Photographer: POA(Phot) Mez Merri

Photograph shows Royal Air Force Chinook Mk2 helicopters from 1310 Flight taking off from Camp Bastion airfield in Helmand, Afghanistan.

The Joint Helicopter Force (AFGHANISTAN) or JHF (A) is a deployed tri-Service unit from the Joint Helicopter Command. Its primary purpose is to facilitate tactical mobility, reconnaissance and Aviation Fires support to the UK task force in Helmand Province and to the multi-national force of Regional Command (South). Photographer: POA(Phot) Mez Merrill

 

 

 

 

Photograph shows Royal Air Force Chinook Mk2 helicopters from 1310 Flight taking off from Camp Bastion airfield in Helmand, Afghanistan.

The Joint Helicopter Force (AFGHANISTAN) or JHF (A) is a deployed tri-Service unit from the Joint Helicopter Command. Its primary purpose is to facilitate tactical mobility, reconnaissance and Aviation Fires support to the UK task force in Helmand Province and to the multi-national force of Regional Command (South). Photographer: POA(Phot) Mez Merrill

Photograph shows a Royal Air Force Chinook Mk2 from 1310 flight taking off on a dawn mission from Camp Bastion airfield in Helmand, Afghanistan.

The Joint Helicopter Force (AFGHANISTAN) or JHF (A) is a deployed tri-Service unit from the Joint Helicopter Command. Its primary purpose is to facilitate tactical mobility, reconnaissance and Aviation Fires support to the UK task force in Helmand Province and to the multi-national force of Regional Command (South). Photographer: POA(Phot) Mez Merrill

The True Heroes...thanks Vets! Where ever you are!

Courtesy mabryusmc and 1 Battalion 6th Marines...Turn your speakers up...BUT.... NSFW...

A worthwhile charity I support and hope you will too...

BlackFive is supporting a charity that I think is worthwhile and I'm definitely supporting and hope that you will too.  Check out the vid below...



Unless you've been there and done that then you don't realize what a difference something as simple as this can make...I'm especially thinking about the first termers...the guys just out of boot camp and SOI that are away from home for the holidays...some for the first time..and then my heart aches for the guys that got busted up and came home and didn't have a strong family to come back to..or no family.

But do what you think is right.  If you're like me then you'll help....