A transgendered Navy SEAL?

Joe.  You don't get thanks for this one.  For some reason you like sending me shit like this.

via the Atlantic.

In every Navy SEAL is a memoir, it seems lately. Retired SEAL Kristin Beck's new memoir,published on Tuesday and titled Warrior Princess, is a bit different, though. In it, Beck describes how, over the course of her 20 year military career, including thirteen deployments over the globe, she slowly became more and more aware that was she meant to live life as a woman — a vexing and often tormenting realization for a long-time member of an elite all-male unit that went on to capture and kill Osama bin Laden. Beck, who identified as a man (and went by the name Chris) while in the Navy, explains that she decided to undergo hormonal therapy some time after retiring in early 2011, and eventually came out to colleagues by posting a picture of herself dressed as a woman on LinkedIn earlier this year:
That night Kris put up a new photo to her LinkedIn profile — the one taken by Christy of Kris standing in front of the American flag. This time Kris wrote, "I am now taking off all my disguises and letting the world know my true identity as a woman." Kris also changed her name on her profile page to Kristin Beck.
To Beck's surprise, her former SEAL buddies were supportive, even ecstatic:

I am speechless.

Warrior Princess.... 

AAVs to be upgraded to protect against IEDs.

via Inside Defense.

The Marine Corps must upgrade its legacy amphibious vehicle to better protect it against the improvised explosive device threat before the Amphibious Combat Vehicle comes online in 2020, according to service officials.
In January 2011, after spending about $3 billion on development, the Marine Corps canceled the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle due to cost overruns. That cancellation has led the service to recognize that it must increase the Assault Amphibious Vehicle's capability since it will be in the fleet until about 2030, Angelo Scarlato, project director for the upgrade, said during a May 30 interview.
The service released a request for information on May 24 for AAV force protection improvements. The government anticipates releasing a request for proposals during the fourth quarter fiscal year 2013. The RFP is expected to include a six-month contract for design with options for prototyping and low-rate initial production, according to a Federal Business Opportunities notice.
"Frankly, it's been programmed for retirement several times because of the projected original fielding of the EFV, but with the cancellation of the EFV we've mandated at this point to do more to increase the capability of the AAV," Dennis Boucher, AAV program director said during the same interview.
One of the challenges for the service is to improve the AAV's survivability against IEDs. There are roughly 1,063 AAVs in the fleet and the Marine Corps plans to upgrade about 400 of them, Scarlato said.
That number of vehicles is the requirement for a two Marine Expeditionary Brigade lift capability -- the service's forward deployable operational forces -- Marine Corps spokesman Manny Pacheco said during the same interview.
The current AAVs do have armor, but it is an applique solution that goes on the side of the vehicle to protect against direct fire weapons, Scarlato stated.
Scarlato said the service may have to conduct suspension upgrades as well because of the additional weight carried by the new armor. The armor upgrades will include underbelly armor, sponson armor and blast mitigating seats that are similar to those in a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle. However, he called force protection the "heart and soul" of the AAV upgrade.
The service plans to take a single increment approach to the upgrades. Once a vehicle is selected, all of the upgrades will be completed at one time. This approach was chosen because it is the most cost effective, he said.
Scarlato said the program has conducted industry days in the past that were beneficial. The program may host another one in the future or may meet one-on-one with vendors.
From 1997 to 2007 the Marine Corps conducted the reliability, availability, maintainability return to standard (RAM RS) project on the AAV which was a temporary capability upgrade, Boucher said.
The force protection upgrades will not extend the AAV's service life but will increase its capability, he added.
The FY-14 budget request seeks $43.4 million for the Marine Corps' AAV research and development. AAV upgrades are expected to enter the acquisition cycle at milestone B during FY-14 and then begin the engineering, manufacturing and development phase. Developmental testing is planned for late FY-15, according to the program executive officer for land system's advanced technology investment plan. -- Lee Hudson

More equivocation.  More vacillation.  More bullshit.

Remember the Commandant saying he would drive the Amphibious Combat Vehicle before he left office?

The bastard lied. 

CF-2 Completes 200th Flight

Lockheed Martin test pilot Dan Canin is at the controls for Flight 200 of F-35C CF-2 on 31 May 2013.

Modest Proposal. Lets make a real assault carrier.

The X-47B with the right sized carrier would make a formidable assault carrier.

In essence what I'm talking about is combining a high performance UAV with the Sea Control Ship concept.

The pluses are many.  We separate manned and unmanned aircraft from the big carriers.  We get the benefit of being able to jam pack the deck and the hangar below decks with aircraft.  And last but not least.

When small wars popup that we don't want to be involved in but our allies drag us into anyway (a recurring theme throughout our history going back to WW2) we can simply send this carrier to do the work instead of an Amphibious Ready Group or a Carrier Strike Group.

The UAV is the simple part...the hard part is going to be the ship.  The most important thing about this is to NOT stray from the original concept.  The original idea was for a 14000 ton warship.  Steel is cheap but we shouldn't build a bigger ship just for giggles. This should be a one trick pony.  Anything that doesn't help it accomplish its primary mission should be banished....no space for carriage of Marines or Special Operations...no allowance for operating manned aircraft etc....

The time has come, the idea has merit and we finally have the right piece..the X-47B.

Concept tank art by Oscar Cafaro

5/11 Fire Rockets Using HIMARS

U.S. Marines with Romeo Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines (5/11), Regimental Combat Team 7 fire rockets from a M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) on Camp Leatherneck, Helmand province, June 1, 2013. Marines with 5/11 are deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Anthony L. Ortiz / Released)

Time to get real about the UK.

Consider this a dueling blog post.

THINK DEFENSE Blog posted what I consider some pretty inflammatory stuff about the US in regards to our concern about UK defense spending.

via THINK DEFENSE.

In the run up to any possible defence cuts in the UK, the press starts to spin that the Americans are concerned about the UK and its “reliance on US support” to defend its self. Principally the USA seems to be concerned by our reductions in the Army to 82,000.
It’s no surprise that the USA is concerned by the reductions in our Army. Given their massive superiority in the air and at sea to pretty much the rest of the world combined but their proportionality smaller land forces. The British Army has shouldered more of the burden in American lead operations than any other international force. My question is should we be worried about US reactions?
I for one am sick of the UK media constantly acting like the USA has a veto on British Government spending decisions and I am even more sick of British politicians bending over “special relationship issues”.
I know at the heart of it none of this is the USA’s fault. It is our major ally and nine times out of ten the best one to have. However the United Kingdom is a strong ally to have as well with a powerful economy and one of the most capable military’s in the world. For quite some time now we have been putting in at least as much as we get back from the “special relationship”. Why should we feel that we have to answer to anyone for domestic spending decisions?

Uh wait...what?

You're pissed because we're concerned that you're about to decrease your Army to 82,000?  News flash buddy.  That will make the British Army nothing more than a police force.  We're fighting on this side of the pond to not see the USMC fall to 150,000.  At 82k the British Army would in effect not even be able to deploy a Brigade.

You vaunted air and sea power is not that impressive by any standard.  You can take a look at whats going on in the Pacific and you see even what would once be considered 2nd rate forces equaling that AND having gear that is at the very least equal to if not superior to what the UK is currently and projected to field.

Once the UK was innovative and a defense leader...now its falling on the technological lead of the US.

And you say you're tired of hearing about how the "special relationship" is threatened by these cuts?

I've haven't said it out loud but the future of Europe military lies with the likes of Poland, the Scandinavian Countries and others...but definitely not with the UK.  In one more generation the "special relationship" will be seen as a minor footnote in history and the UK will become a minor power with no real influence.  Its importance is already on the wane and the efforts to drag the US into the Syrian conflict are telling....just like the events in Libya were.  You want that fight but in the end we'll be doing the heavy lifting.

So fear not THINK DEFENSE. On this side of the Atlantic we tire of it too.

What plane is missing on this flight deck?

What's missing on the flight deck of the USS Kearsarge?

CH-53s.

Unless I missed it, I always thought that '53s made up part of the composite air component.  Are we seeing a move toward an all MV-22 force?  Either we are already reaching critical mass with the number of CH-53Es that we have in service, they've tailored the 26th MEU for its current assignment or this is an unannounced experiment to see if a air component without attached '53s is effective.

I'm pushing toward believing that this is an undercover move to become an all MV-22 force.  When you have enough MV-22s to assign some to HMX-1 then something is afoot.

Blast from the past. LVT(A)-1.

USMC selects OSHKOSH Fire Truck for Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting. Is this a sign of broken procurement?

via Oshkosh press release.

OSHKOSH, Wis. (May 31, 2013) — The U.S. Marine Corps has selected Oshkosh Defense, a division of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), to deliver its new fleet of P-19 Replacement Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles. The Oshkosh P-19R will be the Marines’ first-response vehicle in aircraft fire emergencies at military bases and expeditionary airfields. This next-generation vehicle will provide more advanced on-road and off-road firefighting capabilities to Marines and replace their current fleet of Oshkosh P-19 ARFF vehicles as the vehicles reach the end of their service lives.

Simple questions.  What happened to the days of the Marine Corps piggy backing off the Navy or Army buys of equipment that was not Marine Corps unique?

Logistics would be simplified across the DoD.

Training would be simplified across the DoD.

During wartime, spares could be pulled from any service to make up for shortfalls.

The old way would seem to be more efficient but then you would have the possibility of manufacturers go out business further eroding the defense industrial base.  Still consider the following....

*All the services sport different combat uniforms (while I love the Marine Corps uniqueness and smarts by designing and selecting the current model, there is something to be said for having the same gear across all service lines).

*The Army and Marine Corps use different 782 gear.

*The Marine Corps uses the SMAW and the Army the Carl Gustav (the Israeli weapon is good but so is the Carl Gustav.  Does the SMAW bring enough to the table to warrant an individual purchase?)

I don't have the answers but we can't fix this stuff until we can answer basic questions.

Marines complaining about not having hot chow is a sign of bigger problems.

I hope I'm wrong, but I think the Marine Corps might be fraying at the edges.  Consider the social change that has been brought upon the Marine Corps in the past 1.5 years...with more to come.

*  Gays in the military.
*  Women in combat.
*  Sexual assault issue.
*  Repeat deployments.

And that's just off the top of my head after a few beers.  The list could grow if you were to add new training requirements, new promotion requirements, new disciplinary rules etc...That list is the hallmark of a force that is under strain.

Marines complaining about not having hot chow?  That's not the Marine Corps way...you suck it up and move on.  The only thing that explains it is a restless, frustrated and almost demoralized force.

Its a small thing but if you're paying attention its bigger than you think.

Japanese Landing Craft at Dawn Blitz 2013. 11th MEU.

Japan gearing up for a Marine Corps...Training with the 11th MEU at Dawn Blitz 2013

Camp Pendleton Calif. -- Memebers of the Japanese Self Defense Force offload personnel and behicles from the Japanese ship Huyga here May 31. Dawn Blitz 2013 is a multinational amphibious exercise designated to test Navy and Marine Corps forces at the Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) and Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) level, while promoting military-military cooperation and interoperability with partnered nations. Participating countries include Canada, Japan, New Zealand and military observers from seven countries.

If this isn't proof that the Japanese are gearing up for a Marine Corps I don't know what is!  Additionally notice that they're offloading from the Huyga LHD!

I accept your apology for doubting me.

RANT TIME! The F-35 is unbalancing the USMC.

via DoDBuzz.

The Marine Corps version of the jet, called the F-35B, which can take off like a helicopter and fly like a plane, will reach the milestone by December 2015; the Air Force’s by December 2016 and the Navy’s by February 2019, according to information provided by Marine Capt. Richard Ulsh, a spokesman for the service at the Pentagon.
“Our nation expects us to make informed decisions about developing and employing the most effective military capabilities to support our national security strategy,” Lt. Gen. Robert Schmidle, the Marine Corps’ deputy commandant of aviation, said in a statement. “The F-35 is the best hedge against the ever-evolving and unknown threats posed by potential adversaries.”

If you're an airpower advocate you should be jumping for joy.  The F-35 has weathered the storm and will be introduced into USMC service by Dec. 2015.

If you're a Marine Corps supporter you should be alarmed, angry and ready to punch walls---or throats.

Even if we ignore the MV-22, UH-1Y and AH-1Z buys you're still left with a sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach when you look at the current and projected future state of Marine armor.

A quick list of MAJOR programs.

*Amphibious Combat Vehicle...it may or may not be a high water speed variant.  If they choose that route then we're looking at another 5-10 years before its ready (quite honestly after seeing the procurement log jam, that's what I'm expecting....it won't be a legit response, merely a way to keep the hounds at bay)

*Marine Personnel Carrier...pick a vehicle between Lockheed and BAE and be done with it.  If either one can't start production soon then give the other guy a chance...it won't happen because this program will be canceled...they'll use the carrot of replacing the AAV with the ACV on a one for one basis as an excuse.

*JLTV...I've heard from readers that are really big on this program, but I can't join with them on it.  Upgrading HUMVEEs as a money saving measure seems like the better idea, but the USMC will swallow hard and take every bit of jizz from the ARMY on this project....a project neither service really needs.

*AAV Upgrade...we haven't heard a word on exactly what the upgrades will be but at this time I'm not holding my breath.  I fully expect this upgrade to be pushed back and the best thing to happen will be that they will use a RESET program to get them back into decent, not great shape.

Long story short, we have an Aviator as Commandant, an Assistant Commandant for aviation and no one is looking out for the grunts.

Tell me I'm wrong but the USMC is being fucked for the sake of the F-35.  From my seat it appears that one program is sucking up all the air in the procurement budget room.

Besides the above programs there is one more to watch.  The CH-53K. First flight is suppose to occur in 2014.  If that program is pushed back even further then we're looking at the every other Marine program being sacrificed to the F-35.

Baynunah class corvette - UAE builds a better LCS.

via Navy Recognition.

The UAE Navy's Baynunah Class corvettes were developed by French company CMN. The leadship was built in France by CMN shipyard while the 5 remaining ships of the class were built locally by Abu Dhabi Ship Building. While light in displacement (right below 1,000 tons) the Baynunah class are heavily armed for their class. Designed for coastal warfare, these corvettes may also conduct blue water operations.

The US Navy should be reaching a point of humiliation.  The LCS was once touted as the lynch pin to a strategy of doing "partnership" missions better because it wouldn't outclass foreign navy ships the way an Aegis Destroyer would.

Now the US Navy is faced with the issue of almost every nation in the world building under 3000 ton ships that far outstrip the LCS.  Notice the anti-ship missiles on this ship?  Notice the anti-air missiles?  The carriage of a helicopter?  Out the box this ship outperforms the LCS.  We don't have a ship building problem.  We have a concept issue.

Carry-all Mechanized Equipment Landrover (CaMEL)

BAE Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC) Testing

Benchmade 7505. Are they serious?

I was doing my swing through the internet and saw blurbs that Benchmade had a new knife out.

I got pretty pumped up because it looked right!  It damn near sang to me.  Then I saw the MSRP.

Benchmade.  Are. You. Smoking. Crack!?!

If YOU buy it let me know how you like it.

Blast from the past. USAF RB-49A

A conceptual view of a USAF RB-49A on a reconnaissance mission escorted by two F-86E Sabre Jets.  via War Machine 

If you read SNAFU! then more than likely the Department of Homeland Security has been monitoring you...

via The Truth About Guns Blog via Forbes.

Below you'll see the handbook used by DHS that spells out the key words that are used to put a website under increased scrutiny.  Suffice it to say that if you read or blog about the Military, Security, Border issues, Survival, Preparedness or Religion then you are tagged.

The thing that has me scratching my head is that they MUST be assembling a complete database on every citizen instead of focusing on potential bad actors.  Definitely time to go into my computer files and pull out my TOR browser.  The internet is getting to be a spooky place (pun intended).

  Analyst Desktop Binder_REDACTED by Andrea Stone