Kongsberg 30mm Remote Weapon Station. Pic of the day.

With the US Army about to trial turrets for its Stryker ICV, the Marine Corps has an opportunity to "piggy back" on that purchase and upgrade several of our vehicles.  Assuming that they go with a RWS and not a manned turret, we could see our ground combat vehicles gain much needed punch.  If we're actually going to be stuck with the AAV upgrade, till money is freed up for the MPC, then we should go for more extensive fit.  They have to choose a RWS or we lose dismounts but its seems doable.  Plus we get to plug into the Army's supply chain.  Marine Corps win.  Additionally if we decide to retrofit LAV-25A2's with the RWS then we're even looking at a modest upgrade in firepower in our LAV Battalions.

Weapon takeaway victim in the making.. via Tac Blog.

Note:  This photo was suppose to illustrate the concept of "armed police" that the Brits use.  I call it a weapon snatch victim in the making.  If you carry then you owe it to yourself and others to be in as good a shape as possible.  I see too many guys that can shoot the wings off a fly but would last 20 seconds in a fight and then wouldn't have the strength to walk around the corner.  Understand that for civilians the standards can be lower.  They're concerned only with self defense, but for police and military?  Too many hungry hungry hippos.

He definitely ain't planning on running with that leg rig setup that loose.

Mountain Warfare Training @ Bridgeport, CA. - Photos by Master Sgt. Daniel Kauppila

NOTE: Does anyone have any insight into why we're seeing more single aircraft type participation in exercises? Days ago I noticed an all UH-1Y ex and now I'm seeing the same only with CH-53. What is going on here?  And spare me the talk about aircraft availability -- that is a non-starter when 10 Hueys can be assembled to carry 1/7 to Combat Town to breach doors and step on scorpions.

Odierno is spouting nonsense.

The Army has had to cancel so much training that only two of its42 combat brigades are ready for combat, Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno told reporters at the Association of the US Army conference here today. It’ll take until June to get a solid force of seven brigades ready for any unexpected contingency — and that’s assuming no further budgetary disasters.

Odierno is full of shit.

Look at a quick roll call of Army Divisions. The 82nd is up to speed for sure.  The 101st trains hard...even if its just garrison (but I know for a fact that they've been doing fieldwork real hard for the last 3 months).  10th Mountain?  Ditto.  2nd Armored?  Same.   25th out in Hawaii?  Please, those boys run hills.

He's sounding the alarm to startle the uninformed but I seriously doubt every single word out of the guys mouth.  But unfortunately what he's actually doing is giving the enemy a false impression of our capabilities.

The real question is why and the answer is in his statement.  He wants sequestration to go away and since Obama won the last budget impasse, he's hoping to rally Republicans to move toward the President's direction for the sake of national security.

The JCS has become fully politicized.  Every single one of them needs to be fired.

Havoc 8x8. The latest pics.

Havoc 8x8: Uncompromised Capability for the Marines

NOTE:  Looks like LM and Plasan have been working on that armor hard.  Now I see why they're pushing the MRAP like protection angle so hard.  Another thing.  I wanted to see a RWS on the MPC, but the modeling with the legacy AAV turret is looking smarter and smarter...especially considering the budget crunch.  It'll need thermals and blue force but all and all...smart.

RAF Chinook Mk3 Helicopter

About that Apache Attack Helicopter in China.....

Thanks Su-30MKI for reminding me about this issue. 

Recently a Apache Attack Helicopter was seen in China.  Salamander has the best writeup on where the Chinese probably got it, and it explains another issue, click here to read his rationale but here is the juicy bit....

So, on that list, which country and/or military has the ingrained corruption, present dislike to the USA, need of new friends, and could use the money and influence that China can bring that the USA can't/won't?
OK, GRC ... but seriously. Who on that list also have the chaos to let something like this slip through? OK, GRC again ... but work with me.
Yep, Egypt. That is where my money is. Pay the right people the right amount of money. Put it in the right container or on the right ship ... and there you go.
I remember being escorted by an Egyptian Apache through the Suez and talking to some folks on the Flag Bridge the wisdom of selling Egypt all our best equipment. Well, there you go.

It was reported that the US halted arms shipments to Egypt on the 9th of Oct.  Could this be the reason why?

A pro-gun rally is where its gonna go sideways...

This is where things are gonna go sideways and the shit hits the fan.

200 plus civilians with rifles at a national monument?  The ATF just got a Director and wants to get back in the limelight after watching the FBI encroach on its turf more and more?

All it will take is a large group of LEO's, one person on either side doing something provocative and the fuse is lit.

I honestly don't know how we've avoided a serious confrontation this long.  We've seen aggressive police raids against average citizens but they have yet to confront a large group of 2nd Amendment protesters.

I expect it to happen.

I expect to see bloodshed.

It really just a matter of time.

A radical muslim country, with ties to terrorist is being given the keys to nuclear technology from China, and it ain't Iran!

Thanks for the article Samar!

What happens when a radical muslim country, with not only ties to terrorists but has been known to harbor terrorists on their own soil, whose intelligence agencies have been proven to train, fund and equip enemies of the US and our State Dept does nothing?  I don't know but its happening as we speak....and it ain't Iran.  Check this out from the Times of India.

EW DELHI: China will be able to sidestep global nuclear commerce rules when it sells its third generation nuclear reactors to Pakistan, making its sale a win-win deal for both countries.
China has reverse-engineered Westinghouse's AP-1000 reactor to build an indigenous reactor, which, officials said, is a clever copy of the original. With Pakistani nuclear officials travelling several times this year to China as they work on a contract, the "indigenized" Chinese reactor will help Beijing overcome a key objection by the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) that forbids sale of nuclear reactors or components to third countries without NSG approval and without an NPT signature.

Read the entire article here.

Its obvious to me that India is turning into one of the more important nations in Asia.  Not only are they a bulwark against China but they might be our best hope to keep Pakistan in a cage.

Confidence is not high however.  We have an inept State Dept, a weak Pentagon and a President that is naive when it comes to international diplomacy.

Yep.  We're fucked. 

NOTE:  Pakistan is another of those countries we need to have a come to Jesus meeting on.  They've aided our enemies, have not been a friend and its time to give them (at the very least) the Iran treatment.

NOTE 1:  When are we going to start smacking Western corporations upside the head for selling advanced technology to China just so they can copy it?  When are we going to get real on dual use technology to those thieves?

The most dangerous neighborhoods in America.

If you see this on a building, you might want to unass the area poste haste!

I marvel at the lists of the most dangerous cities in America.  Why?  Because city fathers everywhere will carve out enclaves of safety for themselves or tourists.  It really stands to reason.  Look at New Orleans.  If it was a haven for crime city wide then it would have been pushed back into the sea long ago.  As it is the French Quarter is heavily policed and the issues are only found in the 9th Ward.

But I digress.  This website I found has a list of the most dangerous neighborhoods in America.  Click here to read it for yourself, but be warned...if you decide to head into one of these neighborhoods just for shits and giggles, be advised that you have a bigger survival rate being at a FOB in Afghanistan on the Pakistan border.

Anthony Gale. The only Commandant to be fired.

Special thanks to Eric at ELP Blog for sending me this link!  It would take an Air Force guy to point out something about the Corps that I didn't know.

Some names are never to be spoken of in the Marine Corps.

Peter Pace was the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs but you don't hear him talked about as one of the greats.  You do hear about Krulak, Mundy, Gray, and others.  Quite honestly I think Amos will fade from history and the only thing you'll hear about him are how the Marines needed a leader, but got a petulant child instead.

Another of those Commandant's that you don't hear about is Anthony Gale.  via Wikipedia.

The charges against Gale were dated September 11, 1820. The first was that Gale was publicly intoxicated in the city of Washington on six specified dates during August, including August 31, two days after his arrest.[29] The second charge was of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. There were three specifications: first, that Gale had visited a house of prostitution near the Marine Barracks "in open and disgraceful manner" on that same August 31; second, that he had on September 1 - a date on which he was in custody - called Lieutenant Richard M. Desha, the Corps' Paymaster and son of Congressman Joseph Desha of Kentucky [22] - who had earlier charged Gale with misappropriation [29] - "a damned rascal, liar and coward" and threatening him with personal chastisement unless he would immediately challenge and fight him;[30] and, finally, that he had declared in front of the Marine Barracks "that he did not care a damn for the President, Jesus Christ or God Almighty!" The third charge was that Gale had signed a false certificate that said he had not used a Marine for personal services when in fact he had had a man assigned as waiter and coachman from October 17, 1819, until June 3, 1820. The fourth and final charge was that Gale had broken arrest "at sundry times" between September 1 and 8 while he was confined to quarters.[31]


Gale’s court-martial was marked by further irregularities. Major Miller, one of Gale’s rivals for the post of Commandant, despite having written the charges against Gale, was nonetheless appointed the prosecutor.[32] Furthermore, Lieutenant Desha, a witness against Gale on the second charge, was appointed a supernumerary (or extra member) of the court, and was called to sit on the court in judgment of Gale when regular court members failed to appear. Desha objected to serving on the court under the circumstances, but the court overruled his objection on the grounds that Desha, not Gale, had objected.[33] The court found Gale guilty, President James Monroe approving the verdict, and Gale was removed from office and dismissed from the Marine Corps on October 18, 1820.[34]

Read more here.

Long story short.

We can fire the Commandant.  We can charge him under the UCMJ for unlawful command influence.

The only question is whether Hagel has the balls to do the right thing. 

Burning issues for the Marine Corps...

With the Marine Corps birthday rapidly approaching, now is a good time to reflect and look at things the Corps must fix now.   Below is my list.

1.  Procurement.  We need to right size our procurement numbers.  Forget the whether or not I agree with the F-35 concept, we need to adjust the number bought to reflect the projected size of the Marine Corps.  This goes down the line.  We've done it with the numbers of AAV Upgrades/ACV/MPC but we haven't done it with any other program.  This needs to be corrected.
2.  Real numbers on Marines after the drawdown.  We keep hearing a floor of 174,000.  I've been told by reliable sources that planning is actually taking place for a floor of 150,000.  If true then we owe the Marines that will/might be affected time to get their affairs in order.  The last thing you want is 25000 Marines of all ranks pissed because they did good service but were fucked in the end.
3.  Integration of Women into Combat Arms.  Amos has been silent.  The SgtMajor of the Marine Corps has found himself a sniper hide and isn't saying a word.  Even supporters like Haney and USNI Blog have remained silent.  Well its here, your dream is realized and now you must make it work.  Marine Corps Infantry will suffer and the supporters of the concept don't give a damn.  That must change.  If this is going to work then we need those people to step up and make realistic suggestions on how we're going to cope with fragile bodies that break more often and other issues.
4.  Officer/Enlisted discipline.  A pall is over the Marine Corps.  You have Marines that are scared to breath loudly or the fear is that charge sheets will fly.  This has to change.  We are in a zero defect era.  That is not good for a risk taking organization.
5.  Promotion of non-CAR wearers.  How do you justify promoting a Marine that is of equal rank with his peers but doesn't have combat time?  If it isn't an issue now it will be.  How does a buck just out of TBS lead Marines that have more time in combat than he has in the Marines?  I don't know but the issue is coming if it isn't already here.

These are just a few of my points.  I'm sure there are more but this is a start.  The Marines need to have a good time at the Birthday Ball and then get ready to do some serious work.  The wars were hell.  The peace is gonna be worse.

Another CO gets fired.

via Marine Corps Times.

The two-star head of Marine Corps Installations Command has relieved the commanding officer of Quantico’s Security Battalion following an incident involving a personal weapon, Marine Corps officials said.
Col. Daren Margolin, a 24-year officer was removed from his post Oct. 18 by Maj. Gen. Juan Ayala due to a loss of confidence in his ability to command, said Capt. Maureen Krebs, a Marine Corps spokeswoman.
Krebs said the decision stemmed from a single incident last week involving one of Margolin’s personal weapons, but said she did not have authorization to elaborate on the incident. Margolin has also been charged with several violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but the specific charges are not releasable because Margolin’s relief was the result of an administrative process, she said.
A legal officer, Margolin previously served at the Staff Judge Advocate for Camp Pendleton’s 1st Marine Division. He took command of Security Battalion in June.

The reason why this sticks out is how the press release is phrased.

Personal weapon is emphasized but nothing else.

Are we talking domestic violence?  Can't see it.  That would be too simple to state and there would be no confusion.  A search of quarters?  A Colonel?  In charge of security battalion? Not bloody likely.  So what could it be?  Maybe an arrest by law enforcement but that would have hit the net last week.  Quite honestly I have no idea.

What I do know is that the Marine Corps is in a feeding frenzy.  We're seeing a whole bunch of SENIOR officers get the bum rush out of the service.  Something is seriously broken.

Can We Save Taiwan? via The National Interest

Many thanks to Purplelogs for this link.  I didn't have these guys on my radar!

via TNI.

This document, which represents the Taiwan military’s official statement of the island’s current security environment and national-defense policy, pronounced that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) would have “the comprehensive military capability to deter any foreign aid that comes to Taiwan’s defense by 2020.” China is doing so, the report announced, by building up a formidable set of strike assets—such as advanced missiles and aircraft, amphibious capabilities, defenses against counterstrikes, and the associated enabling infrastructure. These will allow the People’s Republic, the report judged, not only to do extensive damage to Taiwan (something it can already do), and not only to mount a protected and sustained amphibious flotilla and airborne assault, but also to block any attempt by a foreign power (read: the United States) to intervene and defend and/or recover the island.

Absolutely spot on.

Taiwan gets it.

China is a threat and peaceniks, doves, China apologist, industrialist, corporations and anyone else I missed can no longer deny the obvious.  Not only is China a peer competitor, but they're a threat to our allies in that region.  The sooner we accept the truth, the sooner we can start making credible moves to counter them. 

DDG-1000 Pics. via Defense News.

Hat Tip to Elements of Power Blog.

Yeah Baby!

That is one great looking ship!

I don't know how it'll handle rough weather....but it definitely has the right look.  Add to all that those beautiful 155mm cannons sitting on its deck and amphibious assault will be back in vogue.

The Navy reminds me of the big sister with lots of cash trying to take care of its little brother.  In this case, the Marine Corps asked for more naval guns and the Navy is coming through.  See the entire photo essay here.

In Vehicle EDC. Is it a good idea? via Predator Blog.

Predator Blog has a great article by the guys at Sage Dynamics regarding Vehicle EDC.

Quite honestly I'm left wondering about it.  

Many people are high on the idea.  When it comes to long trips or carrying  gear to aid in a breakdown or extended, unplanned stay on the side of the road I can get behind the tools, snacks and water.

But to everyday carry a rifle in my truck?  I'm just not sold.  Read the article here and any feedback would be appreciated.

NOTE:  If you live in a slave state (Kalifornia, Jersey, New York or other Northeast or West Coast areas) then it goes without saying that you're not even a participant in this debate, but for those of us that live semi-free its something to consider.

Chinese CATOBAR Facility. via Chinese Military Review.

CATOBAR Aircraft Carriers will allow Chinese J-15 Flying Shark Carrier Borne Fighter Aircraft take off from the aircraft carrier with increased payload and fuel when compared to the current Short take-off but arrested recovery (STOBAR) CV-16 carrier.

Japanese Type 3 Chi-Nu/Type 4 Chi-To Main Battle Tanks. A Blast from the past.

Type 3

Type 4

Lockheed Martin enters the AAV Upgrade fray...

I received information that Lockheed Martin is offering an upgrade package for the AAV. Information is sparse but I've been told that they're naming it Poseidon, that it is leveraging the systems developed for the MPC AND that its going to have blast protection similar to that vehicle (if you read their press release, then you'll know that the Havoc had equal or near equal MRAP protection levels).

Interesting.

I still believe that the program (AAV Upgrade and the ACV) will be canceled, but once again it looks like industry is stepping up to the plate to deliver to the Marine Corps what its asking for.  With the continued delays, extended studies and general vacillation from HQMC, I'm surprised that any of them would devote the resources to a project of this size (refurbing a little less than 500 vehicles).

After hearing this I'll put my dislike of leadership's indecision with regards to the MPC/ACV/AAV Upgrade in my pocket and give them the benefit of the doubt....at least till they prove me right.