Recon Marines Jump into Alaska

Wow.

via CDR Salamader from SLDinfo.

From: Commanding Officer, Marine Attack Squadron 211
To: Squadron Attack Pilots
Subj: COMMANDER’S GUIDANCE FOR SQUADRON ATTACK PILOTS
1. Professional hunger.
My goal is to identify those Officers who want to be professional attack pilots and dedicate the resources required to build them into the flight leaders and instructors that are required for the long-term health of our community. This is not a socialist organization. We will not all be equal in terms of quals and flight hours. Some will advance faster than others, and because this is not a union, your rate of advancement will have nothing to do with seniority. Your rate of advancement will instead be determined by your hunger, professionalism, work ethic, and performance.
If flying jets and supporting Marines is your passion and your profession, you are in the right squadron.
If these things are viewed simply as your job, please understand that I must invest for the future in others. Your time in a gun squadron might be limited, so it is up to you to make the most of the opportunities that are presented.
2. Professional focus.
Our approach to aviation is based upon the absolute requirement to be “brilliant in the basics.”
Over the last few years Marine TACAIR has not punted the tactical nearly so often as the admin. Sound understanding of NATOPS, aircraft systems, and SOPs is therefore every bit as important as your understanding of the ANTTP and TOPGUN. With this in mind, ensure the admin portions of your plan are solid before you move onto objective area planning. Once you begin tactical planning, remember that keeping things “simple and easy to execute” will usually be your surest path to success. If the plan is not safe, it is not tactically sound.
3. Attitude.
I firmly believe in the phrase “hire for attitude, train for skill.”
Work ethic, willingness to accept constructive criticism, and a professional approach to planning, briefing, and debriefing will get you 90% of the way towards any qualification or certification you are pursuing. The other 10% is comprised of in-flight judgment and performance, and that will often come as a result of the first 90%. Seek to learn from your own mistakes and the mistakes of others. Just as a championship football team debriefs their game film, we are going to analyze our tapes and conduct thorough flight debriefs. It has often been said that the success of a sortie is directly proportional to the caliber of the plan and brief. The other side of this coin is that the amount of learning that takes place as a result of a sortie is directly proportional to the caliber of the debrief.
4. Moral courage.
Speak up if something seems wrong or unsafe.
We all know what the standards are supposed to be in Naval Aviation and in the Corps. Enforce them! When we fail to enforce the existing standards, we are actually setting and enforcing a new standard that is lower.
5. Dedication.
If you average one hour per workday studying, 6 months from now you will be brilliant. That is all it takes; one hour per day. As you start to notice the difference between yourself and those who are unable to find 60 minutes, I want you to know that I will have already taken note.
Then, I want you to ask yourself this question: “How good could I be if I really gave this my all?”
6. When all else fades away, attack pilots have one mission: provide offensive air support for Marines.
The Harrier community needs professional attack pilots who can meet this calling.
It does not require you to abandon your family. It does not require you to work 16 hours per day, six days per week. It requires only a few simple commitments to meet this calling: be efficient with your time at work so that you can study one hour per day; be fully prepared for your sorties and get the maximum learning possible out of every debrief; have thick skin and be willing to take constructive criticism; find one weekend per month to go on cross country. When you are given the opportunity to advance, for those few days go to the mat and give it your all, 100%, at the expense of every other thing in your life.
To quote Roger Staubach, “there are no traffic jams on the extra mile.”
If you can be efficient during the workweek, give an Olympian effort for check rides and certifications, and are a team player, the sky will literally be the limit for you in this squadron.
C. K. RAIBLE

Just plain wow.

I can think of a certain writer on USNI Blog that wouldn't last 10 minutes in this guys Squadron.  We lost a great one.

F-22 and F-35 Over Mount Whitney

Nice find Sferrin!  Thanks for sharing.

F-35 and F-22 fly together for the first time

A new version of the RG35 from BAE.

via ADS.

BAE Systems today launched the latest 6x6 variant of the RG35 family of vehicles – the RG35 multi-purpose blast protected fighting vehicle – at the 2012 Africa Aerospace and Defence exhibition (AAD).
“The RG35 family of vehicles incorporates 30 years of experience in tactical mobility and protection,” said Johan Steyn, managing director, Land Systems South Africa.
The RG35 6x6 has an 8.5 ton payload, a 12 cubic meters volume under armor, can seat up to 14 crew members, and carry light and medium remote controlled weapon stations. Like the 4x4 variant, the latest 6x6 variant includes independent suspension and a side mounted powerpack that can be replaced in less than one hour.
The RG35 family of vehicles can be deployed in many different roles and offers a choice of variants and configurations while maintaining 80 percent vehicle commonality. RG35 combines the high levels of survivability of the RG31 Mine Protected Vehicle with the tactical capability of an infantry fighting vehicle.
Integrated onto the vehicle at AAD will be the TRT-B25 (Tactical Remote Turret) also from Land Systems South Africa.

Interesting.

With the way that some police forces are gearing up I wouldn't be surprised to see this being used in that role.  As usual though, BAE comes up with some nice designs but no one seems to be buying them. Instead they stick to old stale, semi-improved models.

They ran TOWARDS the sounds of gunfire...

via BlackFive...

I hope that these two sheepdogs made those Arab hill-billy, Stone Age, ass-pirates pay dearly for every inch of territory between them and the ambassador before they were overrun.  God Bless them, their families, and may they find peace now that they have been called home.

Well said BlackFive!

This is beyond hardcore.  These guys could have E&E'ed and probably made it out alive.  I can imagine they were in an overwatch position and could see the numbers against them...

But they went anyway.

Fucking hardcore man.  Hard as woodpecker lips.  Read the whole thing at B5.

Another victory lap. RAF Regiment on display.

The Brits are currently smitten with their RAF Regiment.  The photos below are from a photo dump by their Ministry of Defense highlighting not only the Regiment but also their primary combat vehicle...the Foxhound.

Marine Jets Destroyed, Damaged in Insurgent Attack

Something screwy is going on.  I've been monitoring this shit closely and now suddenly I see this vid and supposedly it was out on the 17th?  Hmmm.

Australian Convoy Support Ops in Afghanistan...

The 3RAR Task Group Mobility Support escorts a convoy in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. Coalition road moves in Uruzgan province have an armoured escort to move assets whether in support of mentoring missions or movement of materiel for Operation SLIPPER. The 3RAR Task Group Mobility Support are frequently called upon to assist safe movement in the province. Convoys are often combined during tasks such as escorting US logistics assets to and from patrol bases. Afghan National Army presence on convoys also has brought the relationship with the community closer, allowing greater interaction with the greater local population and better ground knowledge.
'

China trains with the US Navy.

I wonder what our Japanese allies think about this?  Especially considering they're nose to nose with the Chinese over disputed islands....as a matter of fact I wonder what all our Pacific allies think about this.  S. Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Australia and others can't be too happy either.

GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 17, 2012) A U.S.-China combined visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team comprised of Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (Navy) frigate Yi Yang (FF 548) conduct a VBSS boarding during a bilateral counter-piracy exercise. The focus of the exercise was American and Chinese naval cooperation in detecting, boarding, and searching suspected pirated vessels. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released) 120917-N-YF306-233

GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 17, 2012) Ship’s Serviceman Seaman Qing Su, right, from New York, translates for a U.S-China combined visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team comprised of Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (Navy) frigate Yi Yang (FF 548) during a bilateral counterpiracy exercise. The focus of the exercise was American and Chinese naval cooperation in detecting, boarding, and searching suspected pirated vessels. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released) 120917-N-YF306-255

GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 17, 2012) Ensign Phillip S. Neff, a member of the visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), right, shakes hands with a member of the VBSS team from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (Navy) frigate Yi Yang (FF 548) following a bilateral counter-piracy exercise. The focus of the exercise was American and Chinese naval cooperation in detecting, boarding, and searching suspected pirated vessels. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released) 120917-N-YF306-373

GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 17, 2012) A visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team member from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (Navy) frigate Yi Yang (FF 548) boards a rigid-hull inflatable boat after completing a bilateral counter-piracy exercise aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). The focus of the exercise was American and Chinese naval cooperation in detecting, boarding, and searching suspected pirated vessels. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released) 120917-N-YF306-390

GULF OF ADEN (Sept. 17, 2012) Visit, board, search and seizure member Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Evan T. Gainer, from Lancaster, Pa., checks his surroundings aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) during a bilateral counter-piracy exercise with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (Navy) frigate Yi Yang (FF 548). The focus of the exercise was American and Chinese naval cooperation in detecting, boarding, and searching suspected pirated vessels. Winston S. Churchill is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Chase/Released) 120917-N-YF306-335

It'll damn near bring tears UPDATE:

Hey all.

I've had a tremendous response to this photo documentary but I just don't have any details on the individuals involved.  All I can do is wish them well.  God knows they've already been through hell.  If you still haven't seen it, click here...but get out the whiskey or some tissue first.

Identify this weapon please.

A Croatian soldier learns basic rifle marksmanship techniques during Jackal Stone 2012 in Delnice, Croatia, Sept. 14, 2012. Jackal Stone is an annual joint special operations exercise designed to enhance capabilities and interoperability amongst the participating special operations forces as well as to build mutual respect while sharing doctrinal concepts, training concepts and various tactics, techniques and procedures. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jodi Martinez/Released)

UPDATE:
MDB (thanks buddy!) says its a Mk-18 Mod 1 CQB.  Time to get the stats so I can build one.  $200 tax stamp here I come.

Man up Marine Corps!

My readers will probably disagree with me on this one but I gotta go anyway.

Its time for the Marine Corps to man up!

The Brits have released their version of the action and now its time for the Marine Corps to do the same.  Give us the good, the bad and the ugly.  That's what great organizations do.  They look the public and their members in the eye and give the unvarnished truth

Unfortunately, the Marine Corps has been tight lipped, the big Defense Media is no where to be found and they're content with ignoring my e-mails.

Well enough.  This incident is too serious to ignore and the ramifications too broad to be buried.

Yeah.  The Marine Corps needs to man up and give us the after action on this battle.

It'll damn near bring tears to your eyes...

Thanks for the link DWI!  Much appreciate it.

Some of you might have seen this "photo story" but for me it was new.  I won't spoil it and I won't even attempt to post some of the pics here.  That just wouldn't do it justice. 

Do yourself a favor and go here to see it for yourself.

Tipsters! I need you!

If you have a tip, or know something news worthy then hit me up at SNAFU_blogspot@yahoo.com.

All info is considered eyes only and no names will ever be revealed without your permission to ANYONE.

DISCLAIMER:
IF they send a Marine Rifle Company along with some Human Intel Specialist (the old skool guys that are roided out with shaved heads and handle bar moustaches) and a 5 ton filled with water to waterboard me for a couple of days!  Then all bets are off.  Seriously though.  Get the word out.  Hit me up!

Concept art by Glen Angus: Roman Charge!

Nice bit of art work that was posted today.

Kinda visualizes (in a colorful way) my back to basics thinking for the Marine Corps.  Thrust, cut and move...or in todays parlance...Shoot, move and communicate.  Everything else is just fluff.

ISAF press release and 3rd MAW's problem.

Thanks Paul for hitting me with this ISAF press release....

KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 18, 2012) — Recent media coverage regarding a change in ISAF's model of Security Force Assistance (SFA) to the Afghan National Security Forces is not accurate. ISAF remains absolutely committed to partnering with, training, advising and assisting our ANSF counterparts. The ISAF SFA model is focused at the battalion level and above, with exceptions approved by senior commanders. Partnering occurs at all levels, from Platoon to Corps. This has not changed.

In response to elevated threat levels resulting from the "Innocence of Muslims" video, ISAF has taken some prudent, but temporary, measures to reduce our profile and vulnerability to civil disturbances or insider attacks. This means that in some local instances, operational tempo has been reduced, or force protection has been increased. These actions balance the tension of the recent video with force protection, while maintaining the momentum of the campaign.

We've done this before in other high tension periods, and it has worked well. Under this guidance, and as conditions change, we will continue to adapt the force posture and force protection. The SFA model is integral to the success of the ANSF, and ISAF will return to normal operations as soon as conditions warrant.

This is utter bullshit.

The men and women on the ground are about to revolt over this issue.  The ANA is not to be trusted and junior leaders will soon take action if senior leadership remains oblivious.

The lack of trust between the leaders and the led will only increase unless proper actions are taken to get this issue under control.

In short.  The troops are being let down by their leadership.  This cannot stand.

Onto a different subject.

The 3rd MAW suffered a horific blow that will reverberate across the Marine Corps.

To rehash.

A squadron rendered combat ineffective.

A squadron that saw its leader killed in combat by so called friendly forces.

A rotation schedule that is ready for the scrap heap.

Budgetary issues abound.  Unless the squadron's colors are cased then it will cost money to bring it back up to speed.  Unless Congress gives the Marine Corps a special wartime supplemental then you're looking at a chunk of money that was programmed for other uses beign rerouted to replace wartime losses.

Afghanistan is spiraling.  Its not out of control yet, but affirmative action needs to be taken.  If this suspension of training missions is temporary then that won't do.  It needs to be permanent and leadership needs to state loudly and proudly that the mission that was set forth for the military has been accomplished.

The terrorist are in Pakistan, not Afghanistan and all we're doing now is nation building.  The Afghans can build their own damn country.  TIme to go.

Confirmation. The attack on the Harriers was Green on Blue.

via CBS.

The strategy for getting U.S. forces out of Afghanistan depends on training Afghan soldiers and police to protect the country themselves, but on Monday the U.S. military suspended most joint field operations with Afghan forces because so many Americans are being killed by the men they are training.
Afghan government troops -- our allies -- have turned their guns on NATO forces 36 times this year, killing 51, most of them Americans. That is more attacks than the last two years combined.
The order effectively suspends "until further notice" most of the operations which U.S. and Afghan troops conduct side by side. At higher headquarters, Afghans and Americans will still work together, but in the field small unit operations putting Afghan soldiers alongside Americans -- the guts of the U.S. strategy to turn the fighting over to Afghans -- will be suspended unless an exception is granted by a commanding general.
The order was issued after a long weekend in which four American and two British troops were killed by so-called "insider attacks" -- Afghans turning their guns on their supposed allies.

Ths is too little too late.

Bear in mind this disturbing fact.  Leadership was willing to go along with groups of Soldiers and Marines being killed by their allies...until these insider attacks resulted in the loss of a eight Harrier jump jets.

That is the real turning point here.

The next target was going to be the airfield at Kabul and that would mean you'd see C-17's and civilian airliners burning on the tarmac.

That couldn't be allowed and that's why they terminated the program.  This is tacit confirmation that my tipsters were right.  The destruction of our Harriers was an INSIDE attack----a Green on Blue attack.

Guarding Camp Hansen

Hmm.

Didn't work at Camp Leatherneck.  Time to get back to basics.  No more focus on social issues.  No more silly follow the Army.

Time to do the Marine thing.  Do the three.  PT, Marksmanship and Small Unit Tactics.  Everything else is bullshit.

Next up?

Where the hell was the Military Police Battalion that is attached to the Wing and tasked with airfield defense?  Where are the "big" publications on the hows and whys of the destruction of this squadron?  You won't find them.  They're too busy writing articles on Women in the Infantry and giving whining Sailors a spot to cry about whether they should re-enlist or not.  Yeah I'm pointing fingers at you USNI Blog.  Pathetic bastards.

No worries.  If they won't do it, I will.  Stand by for fire heading downrange on this issue,  this afternoon.

VMA-211 CO killed in attack at Camp Leatherneck.

Thanks Lou G for the info.  I completely missed this.

via UT San Diego.

Lt. Col. Chris "Otis" Raible, commanding officer of the Yuma jet squadron whose Harrier fleet was decimated Friday at Camp Bastion, was among two Marines killed when insurgents infiltrated the main NATO strategic base in southwestern Afghanistan, Marine and family sources confirmed.

Raible, 40, died during an unprecedented breach on the sprawling base in Helmand province that also resulted in the destruction of six AV-8B Harriers and significant damage to two more jets from the unit he commanded, Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 211.

Maj. Gen. Gregg Sturdevant, commanding general of the Marine air element in Afghanistan, said "Despite this tragedy, our Marines, sailors and civilians remain focused on the protection of our force and execution of our mission. I ask that you please keep the families of the fallen in your thoughts and prayers."

In addition to the two deaths, nine other coalition personnel were wounded in the brazen overnight assault on Camp Bastion, according to details released Saturday by NATO’s International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

Three refueling stations were also destroyed and six aircraft hangars were damaged during the attack on both fixed wing and rotor craft, coalition officials said. With each of the six Harrier jets destroyed costing at least $24 million, damages in the attack amount to well over $144 million.

The names and units of the dead have not been formally released by the Defense Department.

Raible's Arizona-based squadron, nicknamed “the Avengers,” is the only Marine Harrier unit serving in Afghanistan. The squadron is part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing headquartered in San Diego at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

After deploying to Afghanistan in April, VMA-211 relocated its fleet of AV-8B Harrier jump jets from Kandahar Airfield to the British-run airfield at Camp Bastion this summer, because of the drawdown and consolidation of Marine forces.

Raible flew the first jet to the base in Helmand province on July 1.

God Bless.

I wonder if he was targeted.  If he was then not only have our Afghan "allies" been penetrated but they should be considered no longer reliable and joint training missions should be halted.

NOTE:
Talking to my buddy again, but if this was a planned decapitation attack then this war has just gone to a new level.  PSD (personal security details) just became alot more important and will now have to extend to even on base duty.