About those airstrikes and a new terror group....

Yep (by popular demand) this shit will spiral out of control...

Question.  Where did this new even more dangerous terrorist group come from?  The name escapes me but its the rage of the blogging universe.  Suddenly ISIS is once again the "minor league" and there is an even bigger bad wandering the earth?

I would so love to know what the TRAP plan is for a downed pilot.  But I'll tell you this.  From my chair this whole op looks hasty, poorly planned, without a clear cut objective and is simply a case of "doing something" for public consumption rather than military necessity.

In other words, it looks like pure theater....bullshit from 30,000 feet.

Tomahawk cruise missiles and Fighters strike Syria!

Breaking news...more to come....

Navy narrows down the cause of the F-35 from 136 possibilities to 4.

via Courant.com

"We started with about 136 or so possibilities of what we thought this could be. And we are down to about four," he said.
The June fire at Eglin Air Force base in Florida resulted in a grounding of the F-35 fleet and kept the planes from flying at two major air shows this summer. It renewed concerns about the about Pentagon's nearly $400 billion weapons program. The engine is manufactured by East Hartford-headquartered Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies Corp.
Military and company investigators determined the fire occurred as a result of fan blades rubbing against an adjacent seal. Weeks ago, officials at the F-35 program said a solution should be found by the end of September and be moderate in cost, a price that Pratt has agreed to cover.
Hempstall's comments Monday at a Connecticut defense and aerospace conference hinted that a solution could be found in October rather than by the end of this month as initially planned.
"Within the next couple of weeks, we believe we are going to come to a resolution and know what that is," he said. More than 100 of the planes have been built, the vast majority of them production aircraft that will be put into service, he said.

So they're walking back earlier, more optimistic estimates...I'm not surprised.

I wonder how this is going to affect the "C" model going out to the boat for testing?  I'm willing to bet that the testing will be delayed.

Read the whole story here. 

Ukraine lost 65% of its military hardware in the fighting around Donetsk

via RFE/RL.org

"The more Ukrainian army battalions or brigades are brought up, the more troops there are from the Russian Federation," Poroshenko said in a question-and-answer session with Ukrainian journalists.
He also said Ukraine had lost 65 percent of its military hardware on the front lines during fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Jesus!

The fighting was that intense around Donetsk?  Still I don't know.  Russian forces indicated that they were suffering heavy losses while Ukraine denied it.  Additional the Ukrainian President was just in the US asking for heavy weapons.

So once again we're caught in the murky world of propaganda.

What's true?  I just don't know. 

Amphibious Combat Vehicle 1.1 (ACV 1.1)

BAE just put out the above video and supposedly there is suppose to be an industry day later this week.  Additionally HQMC is putting out a bit more information on how the upgraded AAV and MPC will work together (like how they're going to have to increase the size of the AAV battalions).

It all points to politicking for Dunford to continue the MPC/ACV 1.1 project.  I'm not sure he'll be swayed.

It all depends on that 900 pound gorilla in the room, the F-35.  If it turns out to be as cheap as we're being told...AND...its maintenance costs aren't back breaking then maybe (but I seriously doubt it).  Additionally the CH-53K flies in December and is going to gobble up funds soon too.

My guess?  The AAV will continue for another 20 years.  Just a reminder of what we were told.  Check out the vid below...

Why have camo uniforms been turned into a seasonal item?

Marine infantrymen with the III Marine Expeditionary Force make their way to a compound held by the Guam Army National Guard who are acting as an opposing force Sept. 20, 2014, during the island seizure portion of Exercise Valiant Shield 2014 at Tinian’s North Field. The Marines were transported from Okinawa to Guam and from there to Tinian. Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only exercise integrating Navy, Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps assets, offering real-world joint operational experience to develop capabilities that provide a full range of options to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies and partners. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. D. A. Walters/ Released)

You probably look at the above photo and you might say "hey, its just a Marine doing the Marine-thing"...you might say "ok, they're getting back to jungle warfare"...you might even say "that M27 looks sweet"....

I look at it and wonder why camo uniforms are suddenly a seasonal item instead of what they were designed for...to help Marines blend into the environment.

I hope the next Commandant releases the hold and gives local commanders the choice of what uniform to wear based on conditions, not an edict from HQMC.  Amos has done alot of silly stuff but a seasonally based wearing of uniforms was just INSANE!  It comes with having a jungle/temperate climate and desert uniform.

You want one style to fit all then climb on the multicam option.  You want to have a distinctive Marine uniform (and I do) then deal with having some Marines have faded deserts or jungles and sparkling new of the other type.  Besides, isn't that what the uniform allowance is for?

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Peace Mission 2014

Uh.  Chinese armor has the right look.  I would love to see it in action.  Maybe we should invite them to participate in the "war against ISIS" just to get a look-see on how far they've progressed in the military art.

BAE & Patria to work on Australian combat recon vehicle project.

Thanks for the link Jonathan.

You ever read a story that has you saying WHAT THE FUCK outloud?  Check this out via Janes.

BAE Systems and Finnish aerospace and defence group Patria are to jointly bid for the Australian Army's programme to procure a combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) platform.
A statement on 22 September said the two companies were offering to meet the requirement - part of Land 400 Phase 2 - with a platform based on Patria's 8x8 Armoured Modular Vehicle (AMV). BAE Systems said it would act as prime contractor in the joint bid.
A spokesperson from BAE Systems Australia told IHS Jane's : "The tender for Land 400 is not expected for some time but together we aim to meet the requirement with an evolved solution." The spokesperson said other details of the joint CRV bid would be released later.

Ok.  I admit right up front that I have no idea how the inner workings of the armored vehicle market work, but I would have expected Patria to tap Lockheed Martin on the shoulder and said lets go for this thing in Australia...and for BAE to do the same with Iveco.

Whats going on that has everyone abandoning what I thought (and has presented) were solid alliances to pursue a program that is probably much smaller than even the USMC was contemplating?  Certainly they could get the same type of support from their previous couplings.

So why this new partnership?

New Bradley Turret...

via Ft. Benning Facebook page.

Norinco Armour Day 2014

USMC in the battle of Fallujah.

  Fallujah by Solomon

Its the economy stupid.

Major Hat Tip to "Bayou Man" for the link.

via The Telegraph.

1 - China slowdown
The Chinese economy is slowing and this increases risks for investors around the world. China contributes more than a quarter of world economic growth and is the largest buyer of commodities in the world to fuel its massive construction boom.
2 - Iron ore price slump
Iron ore is an essential raw material needed to feed China's steel mills and as such is a good gauge of the construction boom.
The numbers coming out of China's steel industry are shockingly bad. Shanghai steel futures have fallen to a record low and the sector’s profit margin has also apparently halved to just 0.3pc. A survey of China steel mills that incorporated 2,235 firms or 88pc of Chinese listed companies showed that much of the industry was reliant on subsidies from the state to remain porofitable.
3 - Oil price slump
The oil price is the purest barometer of world growth as it is the fuel that drives nearly all industry and production around the globe. China is also the world’s number one importer of oil.
Brent Crude, the global benchmark for oil, has been falling in price sharply during the past three months and hit a two-year low of $97.5 per barrel, below the important psychological barrier of $100.

Read it all.

I keep saying that this artificial construction called globalization is going to collapse and this is another piece of evidence that a global recession is on the horizon.

IDF Company & Battalion Commanders Course.

IDF Commanders Perform Week-Long Exercise
As a part of the company and battalion commanders course, the Nahal Brigade and the 401 armored Brigade performed an week long exercise.

They're turning to on the Company and Battalion exercises pretty quick after the recent hostilities.

Additional the units involved, the 401st Armored and the Nahal Brigades were some of the units most involved in the fighting.  Either they're expecting more action real soon, or the battle went worse than we're being told.

Operation Summit, the first helicopter-borne landing of a combat unit

via Naval History & Heritage Command
Sikorski HRS-1 Helicopter (Bu # 127795), of Marine helicopter squadron HMR-161
"Foxhole Relief -- A 1st Marine Aircraft Wing transport helicopter takes out a fresh load of replacements for the 1st Marine Division at an advance base in Korea. The troop drop was into the front lines, while Marine Corsair fighter-bombers furnished air support to keep enemy guns quiet on a nearby hill position." Photograph and caption were released by Commander Naval Forces, Far East, under date of 22 November 1951. Note Browning automatic rifle (BAR) carried by the Marine at left, and M1 rifles carried by other men. Official U.S. Marine Corps Photograph. NHHC Photograph Collection, NH 97100.

A national security 'October Surprise' from Dems??

Check out the above vid.  Bob Beckel has had me scratching my head all morning over his prediction of an October Surprise dealing with national security.

What could it be?

Could they already know where the leader of ISIS is and they're waiting to actually kill or capture him?  An accelerated pullout of Afghanistan?  Snowden coming back to the US and will reveal what he stole while at the same time being allowed to walk free?

I'm really not sure.

What I do know is that the American people consistently label the economy as the number one issue.  I just can't imagine what they think they can do on the national security level that will energize their base, neutralize Republican enthusiasm and deliver them the Senate.

This bears watching though.

Why is New York State increasing counter-terror measures? What do they know that we don't?

via governor.ny.gov

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today met with Legislative Leaders to announce a coordinated increase in security and law enforcement personnel at mass transit sites in the New York City region. This announcement is being made out of an abundance of caution, given the undeniable increase of terrorist activity abroad. 

Wait.  This is bullshit.  We've seen an "increase in terrorist activity abroad" for over a decade.  Additionally, while ISIS has made threats they have been busy dealing with their latest conquests.

So what suddenly happened that made the governor of New York increase security?

Read the entire press release here, but this thing has the smell of increased terrorist chatter that identified New York as a target and officials are attempting to do a quiet hardening.

Allegations of vote rigging in Scotland.

Thanks to Modern Survival Blog for the vid.

War against ISIS? Its much more than that. We're priming a religious war.

Thanks for the link Jonathan.

Above you see a vid from Centcom showing US jets plinking targets in Iraq.  Multi-million dollar jets are being worn out, pilots are being put at risk of torture or worse, all to drop bombs on 1/4 ton pickup trucks.

All this because ISIS murdered two journalist that defied US State Dept advice and knowingly, willingly and foolishly traveled to an active war zone.

Because of these journalists' life ending decision, an entire nation is headed to war.  More people died in Chicago last night but these two are the reason why we go off to combat once again in the Middle East.

But if that isn't bad enough check this out from Janes...

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are restructuring their defences along the Lebanese border after recent intelligence evaluations indicated that the militant Shia group Hizbullah is planning to send hundreds of well-armed fighters into northern Israel in any future conflict....However, having gained considerable experience in co-ordinating ground assaults during its intervention in Syria, Hizbullah has added offensive cross-border capabilities to its war plans, according to senior Israeli military officials.The group has sent large numbers of fighters into Syria to support the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. These fighters have been integrated into the chain of command of the Syrian military and loyalist militias and have been involved in capturing and holding rebel-held territory. 

Do you get the force of connection here?

By attacking ISIS in Syria, we're supporting Bashar al-Assad...even if its just a secondary effect.

By attacking ISIS in Syria and Iraq, we're strengthening and reinforcing...even its a secondary effect Hizbullah...which might allow them to eventually grow to rival ISIS in strength...they're already more powerful than AQ.

By attacking ISIS we're taking sides in what is essentially a Shia vs. Sunni war!

We might be priming a regional religious war...and no one is talking about it.

Path to War - Vietnam

  Path to War_Vietnam

The aftermath of the vote in Scotland.

Timothy Nichols sent me a little snarky note about me not liking the outcome of the vote in Scotland.  I really don't care, I didn't make a prediction...but it would have been fun to watch the UK go ape shit.

Before you go ballistic, let me explain.

What you saw in Scotland is simply a "gentle" separatist movement.  We saw a re-run of Ukraine with people that don't have the ability to violently resist...or more precisely don't have the desire.  But its still ominous because while people like Timothy believe that this issue is done, I want to remind you of something said by UK Armed Forces Commentary Blog...

Even if the no wins, as i hope, it looks like it will be with a small majority from what i see, and this is still bad news. It is painful to see Scotland in this state, and so divided and eager to get out. Moreover, such a tight margin is a source of enduring uncertainty: will we go through a whole new drama in a few years time? How will this issue evolve? A break up would be a disaster, but the "neverendum" scenario that already some fear would be just as bad and in some ways worse.

Welcome to the "neverendum"...all the people in the UK that are patting themselves on the back this morning are missing the point.

A large part of your kingdom is pissed off.

Additionally the end results will probably be the same.  You don't  think that planning will stop for moving the nuclear missile sub base to Britain?  You don't think that the UK will turn inward?  You don't think that they've been diminished on the world stage?

The UK dodged a bullet but rarely is there just one round in a magazine.