The Commandant. The new Apocalypse.

Rant.  So if you don't feel like hearing it, switch to a different post or blog.

I hate this Commandant.

He is so feminine it hurts.  He is such a brown noser its offensive.  He is so ineffective that any doubt that wearing stars is more an indication of being political than it has to do with being a REAL LEADER is swept away forever.

He is personally gutting the Marine Corps forward deployed Marine Expeditionary Units and making them nothing more than glorified 101st Airborne Units at sea with the capability to deliver meals.

That's it.

A fancy meal delivery system.

They might aid in disaster relief.  They might help out when it comes to doing "partnership" missions, but combat?  Forget it.

Now I know why he's pushing MARSOC so hard.  Now we know why he's a lap dog for SOCOM.

He doesn't view the MEU as a combat outfit.

At best its for combat support.

Yeah.  I hate the bastard. I really wish I could cut loose on him, but 8th and I is stationed too close to him.

We can only hope that the Marine Corps earns this badge and can claim to be a survivor of his leadership...'cause we're all up...

India gets its C-17.

via LIVEFIST.

The Indian Air Force's first Boeing C-17 Globemaster III (Tail no. CB-8001) departs Long Beach tonight India time (Tuesday morning local time in California) on its journey to the Hindon Air Force Station outside Delhi, where the squadron will be based.


Boeing and Indian Air Force officials will conduct a short ceremony at Long Beach before the aircraft departs.

After a ferry flight that will make a list of stops along the way, the C-17 will touch down at Hindon on June 17. The first airframe will get a welcome ceremony when it arrives, but a formal induction ceremony is expected to happen in August, by which time two more C-17s will have arrived.

The first Indian C-17 arrives in India almost exactly two years after the deal was signed in June 2011. The $4.116-billion deal for 10 aircraft doesn't have a formal options clause, but the IAF is likely to formalise a follow-on order by the end of this year (even with the original order for 10, India will be the largest operator of the aircraft outside the U.S.). Boeing delivered the first Indian C-17 to flight test at Edward's in January this year, and will deliver four more this year, and five next. Indian pilots and loadmasters were trained at Altus, Oklahoma.

I continue to be amazed at how Defense Analyst are missing the real issue in the Pacific.

China's neighbors are alarmed at that country's aggressiveness and are acting accordingly.

They're arming up and getting their military houses in order.  The US with just a small bit of diplomacy and joint training exercises (not partnerships...just joint training) could weave together all these nations into an effective union to keep China in its cage.

The Analyst don't see it, the State Dept is too focused on direct negotiation with China and the Obama administration seeks to rid itself of the military so this opportunity to stop a war before it happens is being missed.

Too bad.

Titillating Tuesday.

'merica!

A possible answer to why the Airside is winning the budget war against the Ground.

I've been harping on it.

Been pissed off by it.

But its been obvious that the Wing has been prioritized over the Ground side in the Marine Corps budget.  Don't be fooled by a couple of trinkets that have been thrown to the Grunts either.  A sling?  Professionals buy those on their own dime to fit their particular style.  The M-27 (IAR)?  A toy tossed to Marine Gunners (talking WO-5's not the people using them) that defeats the real purpose of suppressive fire in the Rifle Squad.

Yeah.

The Wing has been winning the budget war.  But why?  According to a little birdie, the reasons are clear.  In my opinion they're based on a little deductive reasoning, a little hope and a big prayer to the Lord above.

1.  The wars of the future will be more like Libya than Iraq.
2.  Aviation has an extremely long development cycle.
3.  The Marine Corps MEU IS becoming more aviation centric.
4.  The MEF will be fully mechanized and armor will be bought after aviation is upgraded.
5.  The AAV is good enough for now.

Essentially the upgrade path that has been publicized is smoke and mirrors.

Better stated...its been ripped up and we're doing a new plan.

Quite honestly.  This sounds credible.  I also think its a mistake.  But it is a plan.  Hopefully they'll get it done.  I don't have to like it, but we do need to have a direction.

What do the Chinese have that we don't? A manned spaceflight program.

via Chinese military.

via 101st Airborne. LtCol Robert Cole.

For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty on 11 June 1944, in France. Lt. Col. Cole was personally leading his battalion in forcing the last 4 bridges on the road to Carentan when his entire unit was suddenly pinned to the ground by intense and withering enemy rifle, machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire placed upon them from well-prepared and heavily fortified positions within 150 yards of the foremost elements. After the devastating and unceasing enemy fire had for over 1 hour prevented any move and inflicted numerous casualties, Lt. Col. Cole, observing this almost hopeless situation, courageously issued orders to assault the enemy positions with fixed bayonets. With utter disregard for his own safety and completely ignoring the enemy fire, he rose to his feet in front of his battalion and with drawn pistol shouted to his men to follow him in the assault. Catching up a fallen man's rifle and bayonet, he charged on and led the remnants of his battalion across the bullet-swept open ground and into the enemy position. His heroic and valiant action in so inspiring his men resulted in the complete establishment of our bridgehead across the Douve River. The cool fearlessness, personal bravery, and outstanding leadership displayed by Lt. Col. Cole reflect great credit upon himself and are worthy of the highest praise in the military service.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Heli-One.

X3 helicopter achieves a speed milestone of 255 knots

US Army buys another 215 Chinook Helicopters.

via Press Release.

RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa., June 11, 2013 – In an agreement that will save the U.S. government more than $800 million, the Army and Boeing [NYSE:BA] have signed a $4 billion multi-year contract for 177 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, with the Army holding options that could increase its total buy to 215 aircraft.
Deliveries from the agreement, which is a cost-effective alternative to annually contracting for the aircraft, begin in 2015.
“This multi-year contract provides unprecedented savings for the U.S. Army and American taxpayers,” said Col. Robert Barrie, U.S. Army project manager for Cargo Helicopters. “But the most important benefit is the continued support these aircraft will provide to soldiers in the field and civilians in distress.”

I am really starting to despise reading these stale, politically correct press releases.

"...unprecedented savings..."

"...continued support to soldiers in the field and civilians in distress."

I am underwhelmed.

Doosan DST Company: Tarantula 6x6 armored vehicle

TW.Myblog.Yahoo.com (S. Korean website) is reporting that the Tarantula 6x6 has been delivered to Indonesia.  Doosan DST does not list this vehicle as part of its portfolio, although if memory serves it was once under consideration for a S. Korean Army requirement for a wheeled APC.  Confusion continues.

SOCOM wants Polaris ATVs On Non-Pneumatic Tires

Polaris Defense is soon to offer SOCOM its Polaris ATVs with Non-Pneumatic Tires (NPT).

The big bonus?  No need for spares meaning an increase in payload and space plus if hit with a 12.7mm bullet they supposedly can still travel upwards of 8000km.

via Airless Tire.com

For the time being, Polaris has integrated the non-pneumatic tires (NPTs) into its defense division and testing with the US Army already started in October 2012. In-theater conditions have been simulated in one test where a .50-caliber bullet was shot at the airless tire which was then ridden for 5,000 miles without any issues.
Richard Haddad, general manager of Polaris’ military business confirmed: “We drove one tire with a railroad spike in it for over 1,000 miles. The thing drove like it was brand new. These are designed to last the life of the vehicle. This capability gives our troops an edge when operating in rugged, war-torn terrain.”

If it works then this is some trickle down that I can support.  But make no mistake, this isn't a new idea and quite honestly it dates back to the first mass produced cars.  Taking the idea even further back its just the old wagon wheel from war chariots.   The photo below is from Military Photos of a S. African attempt.

Blast from the past. Flyer 21 ITV.

The Flyer 21 was a contender in the Internally Carried Vehicle contest and was put forward by Marvin Group.

I won't go over the allegations of gross misconduct that was revealed by investigative reporters, but a serious look back tells us that the Marine Corps sometimes buys the wrong vehicle for the wrong reasons and saddles Marines with inferior products at exorbitant prices.

Forgive me, I can't help it.  Compare what we could have had above with what we got below...

Test Tow

F-35C CF-3 was used for a heavyweight ground tow test at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division test facility at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, on 6 June 2013. The aircraft was fitted with four 2,000-pound GBU-31 guided bombs on the aircraft’s external pylons. US Navy Lt. Cmdr. Tony Wilson was in the cockpit during the test.

Rhino vs. warthog

Don't pull on Superman's cape.

Don't piss in the wind.

Don't mess with a Rhino's grub!

Where are you on this scale?

Note:  I find it interesting that guys consider women that are below 17% to be almost "hulking out".  I also note that sticking to a BF of below 8% for more than a few weeks is either aided (yeah, you're juicing) or you're a mean miserable SOB.

French amphibious ops.

First F-35A In-Flight Missile Launch

Second production Airbus Military A400M (MSN8) makes maiden flight

The second production Airbus Military A400M new generation airlifter has made its maiden flight.
Known as MSN8, the aircraft made its first flight from Seville, Spain, the location of the A400M final assembly line on 7 June.
It is scheduled for delivery to the French Air Force in the third quarter of the year. MSN7, which flew for the first time at the beginning of March this year, will be delivered to the French Air Force in the coming weeks.

Know your allies. Japanese Ground Self Defense Force Armored Vehicles.

Note:  The JGSDF's collection of armored vehicles isn't widely known outside of the circle of military professionals, armor enthusiast and hobbyist.  That's a pity because they have some of the finest kit in the world, and the underrated Type 90 can be considered the Leopard 2 of the East.

Type 90 MBT.

Type 87 Recon Vehicle

This vehicle intrigues me.  I'm definitely going to find out more.

Type 89 Wheeled Armored Personnel Carrier

It should be noted that the Japanese are in the midst of a pretty impressive upgrade of their armored forces and especially their armor.

The Type 90 is about to be supplemented in service by a new, lighter tank.  The Type 89 is set to be replaced with a dedicated wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, and the Type 87 is going to be replaced too.  Not shown are the wheeled mortar carriers and those are due for replacement...and that ignores what is being done for the Navy (traditionally the service that receives the most funding) and Air Force.  Not mentioned but still important are the AAVs on order, the potential buy of V-22s and the rumor that not only are they buying F-35As but considering adding F-35Bs to the wish list.

All photos via Geocities.Jp/Pinealguy

CH-53K, the USMC and the Inspector General.

A blistering report from the DoD Inspector General on the CH-53K.

As a result, the Marine Corps risks spending $22.2 billion in procurement and operating and support funding for 44 additional aircraft that have not been justified and may not be needed to support future Marine Corps mission requirements.

Read the entire summary here.

The Marine Corps originally had a requirement of 200 CH-53Ks when the force was measured at being 202,000.  Currently its projected to fall to 182,000 and many believe (but aren't saying publicly) that it could drop to 150,000 or even lower.

With that as a backdrop, the Inspector General is saying that the Marine Corps is buying excess capability.

So how will the Marine Corps justify it?

Expect the Marines to offer up both a V-22 and CH-53K squadron to SOCOM for support.  Some in the airwing have been pushing the idea for years and its gained traction lately.  If you've been paying attention MV-22s are exercising more and more with SOCOM.

The sad part of this?  22.4 billion would buy the entire run of MPCs and fund the AAV upgrade.