Future Threat..Chinese Marines.

Thanks to Lee for the link.

via The Diplomat.

The chances that China will mount an invasion of Taiwan remain thankfully remote for now, but the PLA Marines have nonetheless been busy, underscoring their apparent strategic and tactical importance in overall PLA military strategy. For example, as far back as 2001, the PLA Navy staged a large scale amphibious assault exercise that alarmed the Pentagon. The PLA Marines celebrated their 30th anniversary on May 5, 2010 with a large propaganda parade. Most recently, PLA Marine vessels have taken part in the major surveillance exercises being conducted against both Japan and the Philippines in the hotly contested Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and other territories in the South China Sea. This past September 2013, PLA Marines deployed in the Chinese landing craft, the Jinggangshan, reached the Red Sea en route for the Mediterranean off Syria. In recent years, Chinese PLA Marines have played active roles in both UN peacekeeping missions and multinational anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden.

Another two years of the current leadership (both political and military) and the USMC will be lucky to fight its way out of a paper bag.

China is developing a traditional Marine Corps that is capable of fighting from low to high intensity combat with great competence.

What are we doing?

We're reorienting to a lightweight heliborne force based off transportation in MV-22s in a region that sports some of the most high tech fighting vehicles on the planet.

Light Infantry vs. Mechanized Infantry.  Yeah.  Light Fighters talk shit but that's a fight they won't win.

We're building the wrong type of Marine Corps to face the future fight.  We're getting light and the Chinese are meching up.  Why can't anyone see that?

Last Huey Flight.

We live in a twisted world.

Once the USMC made a name for itself, set the standard for Marine Corps worldwide, and won fame for saving the taxpayer money by using cast offs from other services.  (and yes, I know I'm being twisted myself by insisting that we need a new vehicle instead of soldiering on with the AAV but bear with me).

Now we see the last flight of the UH-1N in USMC service and the Air Force is/was/might be, floating the idea of using our cast offs for their nuclear security mission.  I remain unconvinced that they will save more money doing this than simply hopping onto the Army purchase of UH-60s and tagging onto their supply/maintenance/training systems.  I suspect that this has more to do with the delayed Rescue Helicopter purchase and them not wanting to get stuck with Congress seeing the savings and making them buy Blackhawks.

But back to the USMC.

F-35B, AH-1Z, UH-1Z, MV-22B/C, British Harriers, KC-130J and soon the CH-53K.

Those are the major purchases the Marine Corps has made in the last decade and will dominate the next.

You can tell we have a pilot in the Commandant's chair.

AV-8B Harrier.

Phantom Badger via Army Recognition.

Guam is no longer a viable base for Marines. Australia is our last hope in the region.

Check out this passage from Bill Gertz writing for the Free Beacon (read it all here).

“PLA modernization is on track to alter the security balance in Asia over the next five to 10 years, challenging decades of U.S. military preeminence,” the report concludes.
On the bomber, the People’s Liberation Army in June accepted the first of 15 new Hongzha-6K, or H-6K, bombers. The bomber is based on a late 1950s Soviet design but has an extended range. However, its long-range cruise missile is new.
The report said the H-6K, also known as “Zhan Shen” or God of War, “can carry China’s new long-range land-attack cruise missile (LACM).”
“The bomber/LACM weapon system provides the PLA Air Force with the ability to conduct conventional strikes against regional targets throughout the western Pacific, including U.S. facilities in Guam,” the report said.
Guam is being built up by the U.S. military as a key strategic military hub as part of the new “pivot” strategy of realigning forces toward Asia.
The report said China’s new land-attack missile can be equipped with a nuclear warhead. However, so far there is no confirmation that the new missile is armed with nuclear warheads.

Not only are Chinese politicians smarter than our own (not really saying much) but it also appears that they have better strategist that guide their procurement.  For every move that the US makes the Chinese are quick with a counter move.  We do military partnerships, China makes those same countries economically reliant on trade or exports to China for their survival. We sell our high tech arms to our allies, China is quick to buy whatever good or service that country offers.

We decide to stage Marines on Guam.  China develops a modernized version of the Soviet B-52 analogy and equip it with advanced land attack cruise missiles to pummel the island at distance.

China has taken Guam off the board.

Australia is basically our final redoubt.  We have been pushed to the third chain of islands before the first shot was fired. 

Note:  If you think I'm being too doom and gloom about this then please tell me where I'm wrong.  This is one time where I would love to say "my bad" and that I misread the entire situation.

Monster about to eat the Philippines.

I'm not big on praying.

I'm not too sympathetic to most people as alot of times they cause their own trouble.

But look at that monster in the pic above.  I've seen hurricanes, but this has got to be the biggest, most destructive thing to come along in a long time.  Check out the eye of this storm.  Its tight, this beast is ready to fight and its going to take lives.  It might have already hit, I'm late to this news but this one time I hope we're ready to go with aid to the Philippine people.

They're going to need it.  

They're going to need it bad.

An aviation dominated Marine Corps.

via Marine Corps Times.

Speaking alongside the other service chiefs at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Nov. 7, Gen. Jim Amos said the more than 10 percent in budget reductions the Marines are being forced to make over a 10-year period means they cannot sign new multi-year contracts and are being forced to cancel some current ones, paying a penalty for doing so.
“In Marine aviation alone, it’s going to cost me $6.5 billion of inefficiences,” he said. “That’s four (F-35B Joint Strike Fighter) squadrons and two MV-22 Osprey squadrons.”

Read the whole thing here.

Sorry Amos.

I don't care.

The F-35 is prohibitively expensive and we have enough MV-22s to take care of a heliborne assault.  The rest of our lift can be taken care of by buying MH-60's and tagging onto either the Army or Navy's buy of them.

Its stunning.

We have Marines about to do another decade in a Vietnam war era vehicle and the air power zealots don't understand and don't care how dangerous that is.

No.  Instead we have trolls that work for the F-35 office coming onto my page spreading disinformation.

Marines get it.  We need a new vehicle.  We need to hold onto those combat experienced Marines so that the knowledge can be passed along in SOI/MCT/OCS and TBS.

Marines get it but Amos doesn't. 

Blast from our armored past.

T55E1 Tank Destroyer.

T65 Flame Tank.

T92 Howitzer Mortar Carriage.

Hydroponics. The perfect interior garden process?

This is a different type of post so switch off if interior gardening doesn't float your boat.

For various reasons I've been looking at growing food indoors.  The reasons are irrelevant, the process is the issue.

Then something weird and wonderful happened.  A discussion popped up involving abuse of police power and one of the good LEO's (talking about you Tony!) mentioned in passing about hydroponic weed, and how it was much more powerful than your grandpa's stuff.

I didn't even know what that is, so off to google I went.  It seems that a side "problem" with legalization of marijuana is that the little bastards are getting creative.  They stumbled upon hydroponic gardening and suddenly they can increase and tailor the  plant to produce more of the stuff that gets you high.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that if I can get it right, I can do hydroponics to develop more potent fruit and vegetables that are "cleaner", tastier and more nutrient packed.

The search continues but I'm so jazzed about the idea that I had to pass it on.

Merkava on the Golan Heights...pic of the day.

Sounds like the victim in the NFL case is just plain pussy.

Read about it here.

This is the problem with society today.  Everyone assumes that once an accusation is made, that the person accused is just guilty.

Its also apparent that you can throw several different terms around and suddenly you're turned into a pariah without second thought.

The good news?  Incognito (the accused) will be back in the league.  Martin (the supposed victim) will be lucky to wash jockstraps....Martin is a pathetic little big man.  I smell pussy.  And in the end pussy always gets fucked.

This Commandant's illegality is getting attention. via Marine Corps Times.

Marine Corps Times does it again.  They have the unique ability to smile and coddle all kinds of Marine Corps officials and then when the time comes they will split heads and heel stomp throats....

via MCT.

In a complaint submitted this week to the Defense Department inspector general, civilian attorney John Dowd alleges Gen. Jim Amos, the commandant, “in an unlawful act of reprisal ... urged his subordinate colonels and generals to push back against one of the expert witnesses” Dowd brought to Quantico, Va., during administrative proceedings for Capt. James Clement. The document does not identify the witness by name, but Dowd told Marine Corps Times it is Gen. John Kelly, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, who suggested during last month’s hearing that Clement was unfairly targeted and owed an apology.

Game over.

The Commandant needs to resign now...or in Washington speak, get some type of illness and retire early.  Events are going to lead to him becoming a political liability and the Obama Administration hates the Marine Corps so you can bet your bottom dollar that they will offer him up as a sacrificial lamb and tell the world how he didn't serve the Marine Corps properly.

If he has concern for his reputation and his family he needs to punch out while he still has the option to do it in a face saving way.

Note:  Additional required reading from Thomas Ricks at Foreign Policy.  The Corps is unraveling in a weird and disturbing way.  I don't follow the other services closely, but I wonder if they're facing similar challenges?

We fall, China rises...

The above photos are from Chinese Military Review.

Make note boys and girls.  We're building LCS.  They're building real frigates.  Modern frigates that have guns, missiles, torpedoes and helicopters.  We're building F-35 as a jobs program.  They're building J-20's, another stealth fighter and buying up every piece of dual use western tech they can lay their hands on.

America is in decline.

Obama might have accelerated it, but he didn't start it.  I think it all started with Clinton and NAFTA and every President since has been adding to that fateful decision.

Leadership is lucky.  The average American is so caught up in what some no brain celebrity is doing to look around and see exactly how fucked up things are and where things are headed.  Our only real hope isn't that China views us as an acceptable trading partner.  Its that they might not get around to kicking our ass militarily until they have a go at Japan, S. Korea, Russia and others first.

Don't believe me?  Check out the photo again.  Research Chinese military writings.  Read Chinese national papers ... Once you do you'll be punching walls too.

Hagel is telegraphing his move. Everything must be cut...including troops so the F-35 can live.

Thanks for the article Don.

Note:  I have a semi-rant, semi-told ya so, at the end of the quote from the article.  That misses the most important point.  If you're a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Coast Guard, Reserves, National Guard or DoD Civilian you need to act now.  Get your affairs in order.  Resumes, finances (including savings) and if you haven't done so then start putting out feelers to potential employers.  When this hits its going to come like an atom bomb.  I've talked to too many people senior to me that have gone through a reduction in force (RIF) and its nothing nice.  I'll b blunt too.  They're looking for a certain mix to get to how the force should look so people that deserve to stay will be forced out and non-hackers will be welcomed.  The job market hasn't recovered despite what the news media says so consider this another wake up call.  Plan accordingly guys...even  the worse doesn't happen you'll be better for it.  It won't be a one time cut but several and that enlistment certificate in you "I Love Me" book means jack squat.

via Stars and Stripes.

Whether to favor a larger military or a smaller but more modern one still seemed to be an open question in July, when Hagel laid out a range of options outlined a four-month study, known as the Strategic Choices and Management Review, designed to help the Pentagon navigate sequestration.
Following one possible approach outlined in the study — one aimed at protecting programs like the Joint Strike Fighter and missions such as the long range strike and cyberwar capability — active duty ground forces would be severely cut. The Marine Corps could drop to 150,000 troops, while the Army could shrink to between 380,000 and 450,000 troops, rather than the current plan of 490,000 by 2017. The same approach could also lead to the elimination of up to three carrier groups, according to the study.

A few things.

1.  This decision is already made.  The Service Chiefs talking about defending the number of troops at a certain level are full of shit and they know it.  That's all for consumption by the troops, vets and retirees.  Hagel is allowing this talk to give them cover.

2.  Additional evidence that the massive troop cut is reality is a story that I saw the other day that stated that SOCOM would freeze instead of expand the number of boatspaces in their organization.  You can't expand if your pool is shrinking.

3.  Hagel talks of modernization but he is in essence talking about the F-35.  Only.  Every other capability will definitely erode under this plan.

4.  The service chiefs have no allies to rally support from.  Many (myself included) despise them.  Others disagree with many of the social experiments that they're pushing.  A few more are just plain deficit hawks and want to see cuts in spending.  All spending.  To include defense.

5.  Expect your Tricare rates to rise, your VA copays to increase, and a serious reduction in the rate of your increase due to the cost of living.  Obama care must be paid for and the DoD is the bank.

6.  Told ya so.

I'm ready to punch walls.  This Bush Jr, is as flawed as his thinking on globalization, the housing market and allowing banks to consolidate.  Now we have Obama following those policies.  It would be laughable if it wasn't happening right in front of me.

The US will become a big Germany.  A military thats good for parades only and can't deploy anywhere.  Our military downfall is in full speed mode and we have two administrations to blame for it.

What did this guy get hit with? via TacBlog.

He had to have been thrown at least 10 feet into the air and 30 feet away from the impact point.

Is this real or Hollywood?  If its real then....WHAT DID THIS GUY GET HIT WITH!

Note:  After looking at this a couple of times the bastard seems to still be moving.  How is that possible?  Death throes before darkness hits?

Oops they did it again. Police perform anal exam on second motorist.

This is weird, infuriating and should make everyone pause.  A cop can order an anal probe for SUSPICION of drugs?

Read this steaming pile here.  Why this isn't front page news everywhere is beyond me.  Something has got to be done.  If the Feds want to gain a LITTLE credibility they should be doing a civil rights violation investigation on this nonsense.

Japan training on the AAV.

 BAE SUPER AV....I absolutely love the way this vehicle looks.

Note:  You can bet your house that soon after getting their AAVs, the Japanese will be working to develop their own version of the beast.  Wouldn't it have been better to be able to offer them slots on the Marine Personnel Carrier or Amphibious Combat Vehicle instead of refurbished AAVs that we plan on getting rid of (if the Commandant's lying ass office is to be believed) in the next 10 or so years?

via Marine Corps.mil

“Everything we have learned about the AAV is important,” said Master Sgt. Yasahi Yamakawa, a member of the JGSDF, who is currently a student in the Amphibious Assault Crewman Course. “We have learned radio communications, driving on land, driving on water, and preventative maintenance. It is all very important because we are the first soldiers to train on AAVs.”
The members of the JGSDF have two missions during the course, according to Yamakawa. The first is to learn about AAVs and the second is to report everything they have learned to the JGSDF to prepare for receiving their own vehicles.
“It is rare for us to take a course like this,” said Sgt. First Class Yoji Yamaguchi, a member of the JGSDF, who is currently a student in the Amphibious Assault Crewman Course. “This is a great opportunity and experience for us not only to learn but to maintain a good relationship between the Japanese and U.S. forces.”

You can look up the story on your own to read it all.  The meat of it is above.  The part left out is from what I'm assuming is some hot chick that added nothing to what the reporter was trying to convey.

How long before the Japanese fund a Marine Corps?  Soon I bet.  After all, the S. Koreans have one and the Japanese will never lose face to them. 

Realization. We have returned to our armored past

World of Tanks is a beautiful thing.  First it increases knowledge about obscure vehicles and second it reminds us that nothing is new.

The interwar and early war years brought on the multi-turret vehicle craze.  It was a crude attempt to get the maximum amount of firepower on a single vehicle.  The best examples of this are (in my opinion) the T-35 of the Soviet Union and the M3 Lee in US Army service.  Both were considered less than optimum but did the job till better came along.

Flash forward to today and what do we see....

The US Army M1A2 Tusk 2 Upgrade has what many Old, Old, Old skool tankers would consider a multi-turret feel if not look.

The Tusk is optimized for urban combat and the array of machine guns coupled with the main gun make it formidable.  Add in the ability to replace a machine gun with a grenade launcher and you're looking at a vehicle designed to take on infantry as well as other armored vehicles.

The main battle tank is returning to its roots.  A universal or infantry support vehicle role instead of purely anti-armor.

Now.  Just now the armored corps is meeting the future.  Lose about 20 tons and MBTs will be big in the expeditionary movement.

Super Hornet vs. F-35 discussion.

Note:  Just like I depend on American Mercenary to "keep me honest" when it comes to the US Army's concept of Mechanized, Airborne and Light units, I'll be leaning on Lou G's thoughts (along with others) to get a better view of the F-35.  Understand that my main issue is the COST. I don't believe the USMC can afford it.  Even if it can fly Mach 10, obtain a 100 to 1 loss rate and then give the pilot a blowjob on the way back to base, I still think its too expensive.  But capabilities do need to be discussed.  That's where we start this thing.

LouGWednesday, November 06, 2013 7:30:00 AM
The performance comparisons between the F-35 and the 18 and 16 were based on slick jets. My test pilot friend told me the F-35C performed really well with a full internal load of bombs and missiles (2x2000pd bombs and 2xAIM-120). Since we were both legacy Hornet guys, he compared it to carrying the same load with an F/A-18C. He said the performance was "much" better than what we experienced in a Hornet.

My question is simple.  Not getting into OPSEC, but do the improvements being sought by NAVAIR to improve/mod the current Super Hornet make it competitive or is it simply spin.  What capabilities do the Growler actually bring to the electronic warfare fight and can the F-35 duplicate or better them?  If the F-35 is MATCHING current capabilities in aerial performance does frontal stealth bring so much to the table that it will provide overmatch against enemies that have the same capability or should we be focusing on different tech to regain our edge? 

Helmet Cams. The combat issue the Marine Corps should fix now.

The above vid is of a Marine Corps heliborne raid on a opium factory.

Good stuff, good job by all....

But the issue is the helmet cam.  Someday soon, someone is going to post a vid of someone get iced, greased, killed, slaughtered, derped, LTR (laid to rest) or TTM (turned to mist) via their handy dandy helmet cam.

Quite honestly I would push to have all my team, squad and platoon leaders to make checking for helmet cams part of the pre-patrol playbook.

I would have no problem with seeing it on YouTube or at a buddy's bar b que but it's become obvious that we're living in some "interesting" times and the blow back just isn't worth it.